Elements of FictionElements of Fiction~~
Literary Terms Literary Terms & Devices& Devices
SettingSetting
The where and when The where and when of a narrativeof a narrative
physical
psychological
Point of View (PoV)Point of View (PoV)
2nd Person 3rd Person1st Person
Objective (Camera View)
Omniscient
Limited Omniscient
He, She, ityou
ProtagonistProtagonist
AntagonistAntagonist
StereotypeStereotype
FoilFoil
PlotPlot The plan or storyline of a narrative (play, novel, The plan or storyline of a narrative (play, novel,
short story, film, etc.)short story, film, etc.)
SubplotSubplot
The minor or The minor or secondary plot of a secondary plot of a narrative. It often runs narrative. It often runs parallel to the parallel to the development of the development of the main plot and often main plot and often mirrors the main plot.mirrors the main plot.
ExpositionExposition
Rising actionRising action
Suspense
ClimaxClimax
The turning point in a The turning point in a narrative. Point of narrative. Point of highest emotion.highest emotion.
Anti-ClimaxAnti-Climax A weak or disappointing A weak or disappointing
conclusionconclusion
Falling actionFalling action
Conflict begins to get
resolved.
Denouement / Denouement / resolutionresolution
The outcome or The outcome or solution of the plotsolution of the plot
ConflictConflictCharacter vs.Character vs.
CharacterCharacterFate, destiny, “god”Fate, destiny, “god”Supernatural, unknownSupernatural, unknownNatureNatureSocietySocietySelfSelf
ThemeTheme
Universal topic about life
MoralMoral
MotifMotif
Reoccurring color, saying, song, topic, action, object, etc…
ToneTone
MoodMood
SymbolSymbol
CharacterizationCharacterization
The development or The development or creation of characters in a creation of characters in a narrativenarrative A A dynamic dynamic character character
undergoes a undergoes a fundamental changefundamental change
* * Whereas a Whereas a staticstatic character remains the character remains the samesame
CharacterizationCharacterization
The development or The development or creation of characters in a creation of characters in a narrativenarrative A A dynamic dynamic character character
undergoes a undergoes a fundamental changefundamental change
* * Whereas a Whereas a staticstatic character remains the character remains the samesame
IronyIrony
VerbalVerbal
The twisting or foiling The twisting or foiling of expectationsof expectations
DramaticDramatic
SituationalSituational
ImageryImageryFigurative LanguageFigurative Language
similesimile Often uses Often uses like, as, similar to, as if, & resembleslike, as, similar to, as if, & resembles
MetaphorMetaphor Often uses Often uses is, was…is, was…
personificationpersonification
anthropomorphismanthropomorphism
hyperbolehyperbole
ForeshadowingForeshadowing An indication or hint of things yet An indication or hint of things yet
to occur in the plotto occur in the plot
FlashbackFlashback
onomatopoeiaonomatopoeia
punpunA bicycle can't A bicycle can't
stand alonestand aloneMercutio--"Nay, gentle
Romeo, we must have you dance."
Romeo--"Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes / With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead…"(I iv 13-5)
because it is two-tired.because it is two-tired.
paradoxparadox
OxymoronOxymoronOxy = sharp Moron = dull
open secret larger half clearly confused
act naturally alone together Hell's Angels
found missing liquid gas civil engineer
deafening silence seriously funny living dead
Microsoft Works military intelligence jumbo shrimp
Advanced BASIC tragic comedy unbiased opinion
virtual reality definite maybe original copies
pretty ugly same difference plastic glasses
almost exactly constant variable even odds
minor crisis extinct life genuine imitation
exact estimate only choice freezer burn
working holiday rolling stop
AllusionAllusion
"the city that never sleeps"
draws upon the ready stock of ideas or emotion already associated with a topic in a relatively short space.
“We’re not in Kansas any more.”“KOBE!”
AlliterationAlliteration
"Bitsy Big-Boy "Bitsy Big-Boy Boomeroo" in Dr. Boomeroo" in Dr. Seuss's Seuss's The Butter The Butter Battle BookBattle Book. .
assonanceassonance
FinFin