Literary Element
An essential technique used in literature
Ex. Characterization, setting, plot
Foreshadow
When an author mentions or hints at something that will happen later in the story; could be something a character says/does or it could be something that doesn't make sense until later on in the story.
Flashback
When an author goes back in time to provide more details about an event or character.
Theme
A statement that teaches the reader a lesson about people or life in general; It is NOT expressed in a single word, the subject, or the conflict.
Plot
The series of events that make up a story.
Exposition
The author begins his or her story with this. It establishes the setting, introduces some of the main characters, explains background, and introduces the characters' main conflict.
Setting
The time, place, and physical details in which a story takes place.
Mood
Often connected to the setting. This is the feeling that the reader is supposed to get from the story.
Protagonist
The main character in a story. This is who the story is about.
Antagonist
A character in the story that acts against the protagonist.
Conflict
A struggle between opposing forces.
External conflict
A struggle between a character and an outside force.
Internal conflict
A mental or emotional struggle that occurs within a character.
Person vs. Self
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Person
4 Types of Conflict
Rising action
The events that lead to the climax or the highest point of action in the story.
Climax
The greatest point of tension in a story. It is the tense, exciting, terrifying moment in the story. The action is at its highest peak. It might be a turning point in the story.
Falling action
The events that follow the climax and lead to the story's resolution.
Resolution
This happens at the end of the story when all conflicts have been resolved and we know what is going to happen to the people in the story.
Characterization
How the author tells the reader what the characters are like.
Direct Characterization
Telling the reader.
Indirect Characterization
Showing the reader.
1. What the character looks like.
2. What the character thinks.
3. What the character says.
4. What others think of the character.
5. Direct comment made by the author.
5 ways characters are revealed
Irony
The difference between the appearance of things and reality. Many times it is the exact opposite of what it appears to be.
Verbal irony
When a character says something but means another; the difference between what is said and what is meant.
Situational irony
The difference between what happens and what is expected to happen.
Dramatic irony
The difference between what the audience knows and what the character knows.
Point of view
Different perspectives which which authors write.
1st person
A narrator tells the story from his or her perspective using the pronoun "I".
Pronouns: I, me, we, us, our, my, etc.
2nd person
The narrator tells the story to another character using "you".
Pronouns: You, your, yourself, etc.
3rd person
A narrator relates all action in this person, using pronouns such as "he" or "she".
Pronouns: He, she, it, they, them, etc.
Types:
Omniscient: all knowing
Limited: Few characters
Objective: No characters
Figurative language
Language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect of feeling.
Simile
A comparison of 2 unlike thinks using "like" or "as".
Metaphor
A comparison of 2 unlike things, made by referring to one thing as another. (not using "like" or "as")
Personification
When inanimate objects, or ideas, are given human characteristics or qualities.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration statement or description. It is used for emphasis and/or vivid description, but is not meant to be taken literally.
Symbolism
A word, person, place, or object that represents an idea or concept beyond what it means on a literal level.
Imagery
Descriptive or figurative language in a literary work; the use of language to create sensory impressions (uses the 5 senses)
Allusion
An implied or indirect reference in literature to a familiar person, place, or event.
Onomatopoeia
Words that are sounds
Ex. BAM!, BOOM!
Alliteration
Repetitions of the first letter in a word.
Ex. Sally sold seashells.
Parallel structure
Means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more words or ideas are of equal importance and to help the reader comprehend what is being written.
Thesis Statement
Is the most important sentence in the introduction. It tells the reader what you'll be discussing in your essay. It is the cornerstone of your writing. Everything you write comes back to this.
Thesis statement formula
Topic+opinion+3 main ideas
Person, place, thing or idea
Noun
Replaces a noun
Pronoun
Shows action or a state of being
Verb
Modifies/ describes a verb, adjective or another adverb
Adverb
Modifies/describes a noun, pronoun, or another adjective
Adjective
Shows relationship or position/direction
Preposition
Connects words, phrases, or clauses
Conjunction
Expresses emotion or surprise
Interjection