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Terms in this set (67)
idiom
an expression peculiar to a particular language, goes beyond the literal meaning of the words
symbol
an object or collection of objects which stands for itself and also represents an idea beyond itself,
a collection or group of such objects indicates
symbolism
setting
time and place of the action in a novel, drama, short story, narrative poem, memoir, autobiography or biography
cliché
a frequently used expression in a statement, can involve a literal or figurative use of words
plot
the series of related events which make up a story
exposition
information offered to readers to help them understand plot, characters, setting, conflict, and other story elements, first stage of the five major stages of plot development
conflict
a problem faced by the main character, protagonist, which presents him or her with difficulties or obstacles to overcome
internal conflict
takes place within the character's mind and involves a struggle over opposing needs, desires, or emotions
external conflict
a character struggles with an outside force: another character, societal values, or the natural environment
rising action
the segment of the story in which the tension stemming from the conflict increases, the second stage in the five major stages of plot development
climax
the segment of the story in which the tension stemming from the conflict reaches its highest point, the third stage in the five major stages of plot development
falling action
the segment of the story in which the tension is reduced as various factors work toward the resolution or solving of the main conflict, the fourth stage in the five major stages of plot development
resolution / denouement
the final outcome of the narrative or story's plot
foreshadowing
the author provides the reader with hints or clues about future story events and the story's final outcome
tone
the attitude the writer takes toward the character(s), subject matter, and the audience
direct characterization
the writer reveals the personality of a character by telling the reader about him or her
indirect characterization
a writer reveals the personality of a character through the character's looks, gestures, thoughts, feelings, attitude, and behavior
point of view/perspective
the vantage point from which a story or narrative is told and how the events within it are framed or interpreted for the reader
dialect
a way of speaking that is characteristic of a given geographical region or a group of people
allusion
a reference to a statement, person, place, or an event from literature, history, politics, sports, or another subject area; a reference to another text
verbal irony/sarcasm
occurs when an individual or character means one thing and says another
situational irony
a contrast that exists between a character's or reader's expectations and the ensuing, following, reality
mood
the emotions evoked in the mind and heart of the reader , also a reader can determine a character's _____ such as: sullen, fearless
analogy
a point by point comparison between two or more characters, pieces of literature, situation and/or issues to show how they are alike
appendix
the collection of reference materials located at the back of a textbook
denotation
the dictionary definition of a word
connotation
the thoughts and feelings associated with a given word
backstory
the history of events in a character's past life is presented by the author throughout the literary work
repetition/refrain
the writer uses a phrase or sentence several times within the text to help the reader picture an image or understand an idea
audience
the readers or listeners for a piece of writing
purpose
the specific reason(s) a writer has for writing a given piece
message
focus, content and ideas in a piece of writing
genre
a particular type of literature with special characteristics
protagonist
the main character in a work of literature
antagonist
the fictional character who works against or opposes the main character of a literary work
active voice
is present in a sentence when the subject does the action
passive voice
is present in a sentence when the subject is in a state of being
appositive
a noun or pronoun placed beside another one to identify or explain it
transition/transitional phrase
a word or group of words that provides a connection between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs
theme
A statement which expresses a life lesson or universal truth about the human condition or human experience as revealed in a work of literature, enduring truth related to the human condition
thesis
A statement which offers an interpretation of an essay's or research paper's topic
antecedent
the noun which a subsequent pronoun refers to
preface
a preliminary statement by the author or editor which sets forth the book's purpose
dramatic irony
Occurs when the audience, readers, know information that a given character does not know
duration
Amount of time that passes or transpires from the beginning to the end of the story's narrative.
image
a word which appeals to he senses: hearing, touch, taste, smell, and sight; also includes: thermal (hot and cold) and kinesthetic (tension and relaxation)
imagery
a collection of such words which offer multi-sensory appeal, some create pictures in the readers mind
free verse
poetry without regular meter or rhyme scheme
rhyme scheme
the pattern formed by words that rhyme, sound alike, at the end of each line in a given poem
quatrain
a stanza or poem of four lines in which the four lines can be written in any rhyme scheme
couplet
When there are two rhyming consecutive lines in a poem
elegy
A poem of mourning written for someone who has died
ballad
a song or song-like poem that tells a sad story of betrayal, death, or loss
sonnet
a 14 line poem usually written in iambic pentameter (5 stressed and 5 unstressed syllables)
haiku
a form of Japanese poetry which consists of 5/7/5 syllables per three line stanza
meter
a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables present in a line of poetry
drama
A story written to be performed by an audience
text
written material, the main portion of a book
flashback
Occurs when there's an interruption in the flow of the plot to return to an earlier time.
flash forward
Happens when there is an interruption in the flow of the plot to move ahead to a later time, or an interjection of a future event.
propaganda
biased and or misleading information which is used to sway or influence the view points and behaviors of readers, listeners, and/or viewers
table of contents
A list of chapters and sections in a text; this list appears at the front of the text
arguement
a claim supported by at least one reason
evidence
data, statistics, and facts, in fictional literature - characters thoughts, statements, and actions, and a characters reputation - what others say about him or her - others who are reliable in the showing of that character
footnote
an explanatory note or comment found at the bottom of a page of text
glossary
a dictionary which is located in the book's appendix, contains content specific vocabulary
bibliography
the list of sources used preparation of a given text
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