Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Fiction Terms
Definitions of literary terms - core elements of fiction
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| fiction | • an imaginative prose narrative with situations and characters that are created by the author |
| nonfiction | factual prose writing. Nonfiction includes biographies, autobiographies, essays |
| genre | A literary or artistic category. Main genres include prose, drama, poetry. Subgenres of prose include historical fiction, mystery, realistic fiction |
| plot elements | exposition, complication, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution |
| exposition | introduction of characters, setting and background for the narrative |
| complication | the introduction of the conflict, the struggle or problem that a character must overcome |
| rising action | the difficult circumstances that come about because of the character’s attempts to find a solution to his/her problem (called the ‘conflict'). Events in rising action increase in suspense. |
| climax | the moment of greatest emotional intensity, interest, or suspense in a drama. The key scene in the story, calling forth the strongest emotion from the reader |
| falling action | the plot events immediately following the climax/crisis that eventually lessen in suspense |
| resolution | The outcome or result of the main drama – 'Denouement’ is French for unknotting or unwinding and is sometimes used instead of ‘resolution’because of its meaning |
| character | • a person, animal, other being, a machine, or a force of nature that takes part in the action presented in a drama or narrative work of literature |
| characterization | Revealed four ways: ◦ Character’s own spoken words ◦ Character’s actions and reactions to others ◦ Narrator’s direct description ◦ Narrator’s sharing of character’s thoughts |
| setting | time and place of the story. Time - length of narrative plus time period of narrative. Place - geographical location plus culture, politics, characteristics of the society of the time and place |
| theme | • the unifying point, the deeper meaning or life lesson, or the question about being human around which all elements of a work of literature are organized • the deeper meaning of a work of literature in contrast to its plot |
| theme topic | a one or two word phrase that emobodies the thematic idea of the literature |
| mood | the feeling that a work conveys to its readers. Usually expressed as an emotion: fear, apprehension, joy. Created by author through plot, character, setting, vivid imagery, figurative language. The emotion that the reader feels as a result of reading |
| tone | The author’s attitude toward his/her subject, audience, and the characters in the literature • tone is the way that feelings and atmosphere are revealed by the author. Revealed through diction |
Created by:
dreyfous
Popular Academic Vocabulary sets