Literary TermsLiterary TermsEnglish I HonorsEnglish I Honors

Characters: Characters: People, animals that take part in People, animals that take part in

storystory

ANTAGONIST-ANTAGONIST- character working character working against the main against the main character; usually evil, character; usually evil, can be force of naturecan be force of nature

PROTAGONISTPROTAGONIST- - main main character of story, character of story, herohero

DYNAMIC-DYNAMIC- character character who changes who changes throughout storythroughout story

STATIC -STATIC - character character who does NOT change who does NOT change throughout storythroughout story

ROUND-ROUND- character character who has many traits; who has many traits; we get to know this we get to know this character in-depthcharacter in-depth

FLAT-FLAT- character who character who is described more is described more simply; one-sidedsimply; one-sided

CharacterizationCharacterization

There are four ways that an author There are four ways that an author develops characters:develops characters:– Through their actionsThrough their actions– Through their speechThrough their speech– Through their thoughtsThrough their thoughts– Through what others say about themThrough what others say about them

ConflictConflictStruggle between two opposing forcesStruggle between two opposing forces6 main types of conflict6 main types of conflict– man vs. manman vs. man -man vs. nature-man vs. nature– man vs. self man vs. self -man vs. society-man vs. society– man vs. technology -man vs. supernaturalman vs. technology -man vs. supernatural

Each type falls into one of two categories:Each type falls into one of two categories:– External: conflict between an outside force and External: conflict between an outside force and

the main characterthe main character– Internal: occurs within a characterInternal: occurs within a character

ThemeThemeMain ideas in a work of literatureMain ideas in a work of literature

Usually about life or human natureUsually about life or human nature

A message, meaning, or moral the A message, meaning, or moral the author wants you to learnauthor wants you to learn– Examples: Loyalty, friendship, Examples: Loyalty, friendship,

overcoming obstaclesovercoming obstacles

Point of ViewPoint of ViewFirst PersonFirst Person– character in story is character in story is

telling the storytelling the story

– I, me, myI, me, my

– Reader only knows Reader only knows what the narrator is what the narrator is thinking.thinking.

3rd Person3rd Person– Storyteller is NOT Storyteller is NOT

one of the one of the characterscharacters

– He, she, theyHe, she, they

– Reader gets to Reader gets to know the thoughts know the thoughts of many characters.of many characters.

FLASHBACKFLASHBACK

Something that Something that happened before happened before the beginning of a the beginning of a storystory

FORESHADOWINGFORESHADOWING

use of clues to hint use of clues to hint at events that will at events that will occur later in the occur later in the plotplot

IronyIrony

Situational Irony: A contrast Situational Irony: A contrast between what is expected to happen between what is expected to happen and what actually does.and what actually does.

Verbal Irony: A contrast between Verbal Irony: A contrast between what is said and what is meant.what is said and what is meant.

Dramatic Irony: When the reader Dramatic Irony: When the reader knows something that other knows something that other characters do not.characters do not.

ImageryImagery

Imagery:Imagery:– The use of detailed descriptions to paint The use of detailed descriptions to paint

a picture. a picture. – Imagery appeals to the five senses. Imagery appeals to the five senses. – Authors usually use sight imagery, but Authors usually use sight imagery, but

can be sound, taste, touch, or smell can be sound, taste, touch, or smell imagery.imagery.

SettingSettingTimeTime and and PlacePlace of the action of the story of the action of the storyIt is important to the events and outcomes It is important to the events and outcomes of the story.of the story.The setting ranges from large to small. In The setting ranges from large to small. In Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryCharlie and the Chocolate Factory, for , for example… example… Large picture = America, mid-size city in Large picture = America, mid-size city in the 1950’sthe 1950’sSmall picture = Charlie’s home and the Small picture = Charlie’s home and the factory, one week in his life factory, one week in his life

ToneTone

Attitude a writer takes towards a Attitude a writer takes towards a subjectsubject

Reflects the feelings of a writerReflects the feelings of a writer

Can be sarcastic, humorous, serious, Can be sarcastic, humorous, serious, etc.etc.

MoodMood

The feeling or atmosphere that the The feeling or atmosphere that the author creates author creates for the readerfor the reader..

Do not confuse Mood with Tone. Do not confuse Mood with Tone.

The mood is the feeling The mood is the feeling youyou are are supposed to get when reading the supposed to get when reading the story.story.

SimileSimile

A comparison of two different things A comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words or ideas through the use of the words “like” or “as.” “like” or “as.”

e.g., The warrior fought like a lion.e.g., The warrior fought like a lion.

MetaphorMetaphor

A comparison A comparison withoutwithout the use of like the use of like or as.or as.

e.g., Life is a box of chocolates.e.g., Life is a box of chocolates.

PersonificationPersonification

When an author gives human When an author gives human qualities to nonhuman things.qualities to nonhuman things.

e.g., The wind cried in the dark.e.g., The wind cried in the dark.

AllusionAllusion

When an author refers to characters When an author refers to characters or events from history or other or events from history or other pieces of literaturepieces of literature

e.g., She was beautiful like Venus, e.g., She was beautiful like Venus, the Goddess of love.the Goddess of love.

SymbolSymbol

PersonPerson

PlacePlace

Event orEvent or

Object that stands for something Object that stands for something beyond itselfbeyond itself

E.g., A bird in a cage would E.g., A bird in a cage would symbolize lost freedom. symbolize lost freedom.

AllegoryAllegory

When the events, characters, and When the events, characters, and setting of a story are all symbolic of setting of a story are all symbolic of life.life.