Literary TermsLiterary Terms

Short Stories- English I HonorsShort Stories- English I Honors

2010-20112010-2011

CharactersCharacters Every person or animal in a story.Every person or animal in a story.

Round Characters:Round Characters: a character in fiction a character in fiction whose personality, background, motives, whose personality, background, motives, and other features are clearly defined by and other features are clearly defined by the writer.the writer.

Flat Characters:Flat Characters: a literary character a literary character whose personality can be defined by one whose personality can be defined by one or two traits.or two traits.

ProtagonistProtagonist

The central character in a story or drama. The The central character in a story or drama. The audience should sympathize with the audience should sympathize with the protagonist.protagonist.

AntagonistAntagonist

A person or force that opposes the central A person or force that opposes the central character in a story or drama.character in a story or drama.

CharacterizationCharacterization

The act of developing a character; the method The act of developing a character; the method by which character traits are revealed.by which character traits are revealed.

SettingSetting

The time and place a story takes place. It can The time and place a story takes place. It can include time of day, week, year, or time in include time of day, week, year, or time in history. It can be a very specific, or a very history. It can be a very specific, or a very general place as well. general place as well.

External ConflictExternal Conflict

A struggle between a character and a force A struggle between a character and a force outside of that character.outside of that character. Man vs. Man- two people struggling.Man vs. Man- two people struggling. Man vs. Nature- a person struggling with some Man vs. Nature- a person struggling with some

aspect of the natural world.aspect of the natural world. Man vs. Technology- a person struggling with Man vs. Technology- a person struggling with

some aspect of technology.some aspect of technology. Man vs. Society- a person struggling with his or Man vs. Society- a person struggling with his or

her society.her society.

Internal ConflictInternal Conflict

A struggle within a character.A struggle within a character. Man vs. SelfMan vs. Self

Point of ViewPoint of View

The vantage point or perspective from which the The vantage point or perspective from which the story is told.story is told. First person: narrator is a character IN the story. He or she First person: narrator is a character IN the story. He or she

can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings.can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings. Third person objective: narrator is an outsider who can Third person objective: narrator is an outsider who can

report only what he or she hears or feels.report only what he or she hears or feels. Third person limited: narrator is an outsider who sees into Third person limited: narrator is an outsider who sees into

the minds of one of the characters.the minds of one of the characters. Third person omniscient: narrator is an all-knowing Third person omniscient: narrator is an all-knowing

outsider who can tell what multiple characters are thinking outsider who can tell what multiple characters are thinking or feeling.or feeling.

FlashbackFlashback

Takes place when a scene is interrupted to Takes place when a scene is interrupted to show an event that happened in the past.show an event that happened in the past.

ThemeTheme

The central idea or insight about life that a The central idea or insight about life that a writer wishes to share with the reader.writer wishes to share with the reader.

SatireSatire

A style of writing that uses humor to criticize A style of writing that uses humor to criticize people, ideas, or institutions in hopes of people, ideas, or institutions in hopes of improving them. improving them.

SymbolismSymbolism

When a person, place, event or object has a When a person, place, event or object has a meaning itself but suggests other meanings as meaning itself but suggests other meanings as well.well. Red rose= loveRed rose= love Darkness= evilDarkness= evil

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

The use of clues by the author to prepare The use of clues by the author to prepare readers for what will happen in a story. readers for what will happen in a story.

MoodMood

The atmosphere or The atmosphere or feeling created in the feeling created in the reader by a literary reader by a literary work or passage.work or passage. Example: If you are Example: If you are

watching a horror watching a horror movie, you would have movie, you would have a different feeling than a different feeling than you would if you were you would if you were watching a love story.watching a love story.

PlotPlot

The plan of action in a story. Includes:The plan of action in a story. Includes: ExpositionExposition Rising ActionRising Action ClimaxClimax Falling ActionFalling Action ResolutionResolution

ExpositionExposition

The way in which an author begins a piece of The way in which an author begins a piece of fiction. In the exposition, typically the fiction. In the exposition, typically the characters and setting are described.characters and setting are described.

Rising ActionRising Action

All the events in a piece of fiction which take All the events in a piece of fiction which take place after the exposition and before the place after the exposition and before the climax. climax. The complications and twists in a story meant to The complications and twists in a story meant to

build suspense or interest for the reader. build suspense or interest for the reader.

ClimaxClimax

The point of highest interest or intensity in a The point of highest interest or intensity in a piece of fiction. This is where the plot begins piece of fiction. This is where the plot begins to change. to change. A character makes a decision, or an event takes A character makes a decision, or an event takes

place to change/further the course of action in the place to change/further the course of action in the story.story.

Falling ActionFalling Action

The logical result of the climax. The logical result of the climax. The effect of the events taking place during the The effect of the events taking place during the

climax. (If the climax is a cause, the falling climax. (If the climax is a cause, the falling action is an effect of that cause.)action is an effect of that cause.)

ResolutionResolution

The outcome of a piece of literature. The outcome of a piece of literature. Also known as the Denoument. Also known as the Denoument.

Static CharacterStatic Character

A character that does A character that does notnot undergo any type of undergo any type of change throughout the course of a literary change throughout the course of a literary work.work.

Dynamic CharacterDynamic Character

A character that does undergo a change during A character that does undergo a change during the course of a literary work. the course of a literary work.

DialogueDialogue

A conversation between characters in a literary A conversation between characters in a literary work.work.

DictionDiction

A writer or speaker’s choice of words and the A writer or speaker’s choice of words and the way in which they arrange words in sentences.way in which they arrange words in sentences. For example, in “The Cask of Amontillado,” by For example, in “The Cask of Amontillado,” by

Poe there will be more formal diction. In “The Poe there will be more formal diction. In “The Euphio Question,” there was more informal Euphio Question,” there was more informal diction.diction.