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Literary Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
fiction | writing that tells about imaginary people and events (The Hunger Games, Holes, Hatchet) |
non -fiction | writing that tells about real people and events (biographies, autobiographies) |
plot | the events that make up a story |
exposition | introduces the characters and sets up the main conflict |
rising action | a series of conflicts and crisis that lead to the climax |
climax | the turning point of the story; the most shocking part; the big reveal that sets the story up to end soon |
falling action | the events that wrap up the story leading to the ending |
resolution | how the conflict or problem is solved |
setting | ~ the time and place of the story (on a farm, in the 1950’s or in a castle during medieval times) |
characters | person, animal, or thing who plays a role in the story (Cinderella, Stepmother, Skreech) |
character traits | words to used to describe a character’s personality (brave, loyal, dishonest) |
static character | a character who stays the same during the story (Cinderella stepmother) |
dynamic character | a character who changes during the story (Cinderella,) |
protagonist | the main or central character in the story (Cinderella) |
antagonit | character who has a conflict with the main character |
characterization | the techniques an author uses to create and develop a character. These techniques include: the character’s words and actions the character’s thoughts the character’s appearance what others think of that character |
conflict | the main problem in the story |
internal conflict | the character has a problem within himself, person vs. self |
external conflict | the character has a problem with another person or thing, person vs. person, person vs. nature, person vs. society |
theme | the message, lesson or moral of the story (don’t give up on your dreams, treat others the way you wish to be treated) |
flashback | an interruption in the story to recall an event that took place earlier |
symbolism | An object that represents an idea. (heart symbolizes love, American flag symbolizes freedom) |
foreshadow | hints in the story of an event that may take place in the future of the story |
imagery | descriptions from the text that form in your mind as you read |
mood | the atmosphere or feeling created by the writer and expressed through setting. |
tone | the writer’s attitude toward his or her subject |
point of view | The point of view is the perspective from which the events in the story are told. The author may choose to use any of the following: third person First person Second person |
dialogue | lines spoken by the characters |
narrator | person telling the story |