| Term | Definition |
|---|
| short story | a genre of literature that is betwen 2 and 150 pages. Prose fiction. that aims at unity of characterization, theme, and effect on the reader (a single effect) |
| protagonist | main character who sets the plot in motion |
| antagonist | the character of force that blocks the protagonist |
| expository characterization | when the author tells the reader the facts. telling more direct, quicker, less-attention-getting |
| dramatic characterization | character shows the read what they are like by: dress, thoughts, words, actions, and thoughts of other characters - readers reach their own conclusion |
| chronological order | order in which events happen |
| foreshadowing | the use of clues to hint what is going to happen later in the plot |
| internal conflict | a stuggle between opposing needs, desires, or emtions within a single character |
| external conflict | a character struggles against some outside force; another character society as a whole or some natural force |
| 3 most commons types of conflict | man vs. man, man vs. himself, man vs. environment |
| conflict | a struggle or class between opposing characters, forces, or emotions. KEYWORD: vs. |
| rising action(complication) | intensify the conflict and create suspence things begin to get complicated and exciting which makes us interested |
| exposition | background information on characters and events necessary for understanding the story. basics are exposed |
| falling action (denouement) | action that takes place after the clamatic scene |
| resolution (conclusion) | all the problems or mysteries of the plot are unraveled. things are resolved. |
| plotless short story | in some fiction, plot has a relatively minor function. these works may focus instead on characterization and point of view. plot isnt important or is nonexistant |
| symbol | a person place, thing, or event that stands both for itself and for something beyond itself |
| writing style | how the writer chooses to put words together with syntax and diction |
| syntax | sentence structure |
| diction | word choice |
| allusion | reference to something outside the work: 1) mythological/classical 2) biblical 3) shakespearean |
| pun | a play on the multiple meanings of a work, or on two words that sound alike but have different meanings |
| theme | the central idea or insight of a work of literature; most are implied rather than directly stated |
| 3 musts of a theme: | 1) complete declarative sentence, 2) state a significant general turth about life, people, human nature, or world, 3) clearly brought out in the work |
| tone | attitude a writer takes toward the reading, a subject, or a charater; conveyed through the writers choice of words and details |
| point of view | the vantage point from which a wirter tells a story |
| 1st person | uses "I" ; narrator is in the story |
| 2nd person | uses "you" RARE ; |
| 3rd objective/dramatic | reports who, what, when, where, why "a fly on the wall" |
| 3rd omniscient | all knowing, god-like observer |
| 3rd limited | view limited to one character. outside the story |
| irony | a contrast between expectation and reality |
| dramatic irony | reader knows something important that character doesn't know |
| situational irony | what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate |
| verbal irony | when a speaker says one thing but means the opposite |
| motivation | the reasons that cause characters to act as they do |
| characterization | the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character |
| character | fictional personality created by an author. |
| setting | the time and place of events in a literary work |
| functions of a setting | provide a time and place for the character/events, create and atmostphere, aid in understanding character and their actions, facilitate plot development |
| atmostphere | the mood or feeling in a work of literature |
| plot | the series of related events that make up a story or drama. underlying sturcture of a story. consturcted, composted, and artistic purpose to convey meaning and provide an enjoyable or moving reading experience |
| technical climax | turning point of the plot, outcome is determined and the protagonist of then changes or has an opportunity to change but does not. characters makes a decision |
| dramatic climax | the point of greatest interest or intensity in the story. this type of climax is not related to plot structure |
| narrator | teller of the story |
| foil character | two charactter in the same situtation and they act differently to emphasize their personality |
| static character | character who doesn't change or refuses to grow much in the course of the story |
| dynamic character | a character who grows, learns, or changes as a result of the storys action |
| round character | a character who seems like a real person. character has more demsions to personality. complex and multi-facted |
| flat character | character who is not well-developed. doesnt seem real. one or tow personality traits. one demensional |
| consistent character | a character whose speech, thoughts, and actions are what the reader has been lead to expect from that particular character |
| stock character | a type of character that is usually found ("in stock") in a particular literary form (ex. beautiful heroine and strong hero in romance novels) |
| stereotyped character | a character created according to widely held, often narrow-minded ideas |
Combine with other sets
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