LITERARY TERMSLITERARY TERMS

Know them, Know them,

use them, use them,

LOVE them!LOVE them!

CHARACTERIZATIONCHARACTERIZATION• The method a writer uses to reveal the The method a writer uses to reveal the

personality of a character.personality of a character.

– Direct characterizationDirect characterization: the writer : the writer makes direct statements about a makes direct statements about a character’s personalitycharacter’s personality

– Indirect characterizationIndirect characterization: the writer : the writer reveals a character’s personality reveals a character’s personality through the character’s words and through the character’s words and actions and through what other actions and through what other characters think and say about the characters think and say about the charactercharacter

CHARACTER TYPESCHARACTER TYPES• Static characterStatic character – a character who – a character who

remains the same remains the same

• Dynamic characterDynamic character – a character – a character who changeswho changes

MOODMOOD

•The emotional quality or The emotional quality or atmosphere of a storyatmosphere of a story

– Example:Example:““The ‘Red Death’ had long devastated the The ‘Red Death’ had long devastated the

country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous. Blood was its Avatar and its or so hideous. Blood was its Avatar and its seal—the redness and the horror of blood.”seal—the redness and the horror of blood.”

From “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen PoeFrom “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe

TONETONE

• A reflection of a writer’s or speaker’s attitude A reflection of a writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward the subjecttoward the subject

– A writer’s tone may convey a variety of attitudes, A writer’s tone may convey a variety of attitudes, including, sympathy, objectivity, seriousness, irony, including, sympathy, objectivity, seriousness, irony, sadness, bitterness, or humorsadness, bitterness, or humor

– Example: “Don’t talk to me about voting or politics. Example: “Don’t talk to me about voting or politics. I’m not interested. All politicians are self-serving I’m not interested. All politicians are self-serving and corrupt. My vote won’t change a thing!”and corrupt. My vote won’t change a thing!”

FORESHADOWINGFORESHADOWING

• The use of clues by the author to The use of clues by the author to prepare readers for events that will prepare readers for events that will happen later in a storyhappen later in a story

SYMBOLSYMBOL

• An object, person, place or An object, person, place or experience that means more than experience that means more than what it iswhat it is

IMAGERYIMAGERY• The “word pictures” The “word pictures”

that writers create that writers create to help evoke an to help evoke an emotional response.emotional response.– Writers use Writers use sensory sensory

detailsdetails , or , or descriptions that descriptions that appeal to one or appeal to one or more of the five more of the five senses: sight, senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.and smell.

SIMILESIMILE

• A figure of speech using A figure of speech using likelike or or asas to to compare seemingly unlike thingscompare seemingly unlike things– Example:Example:

The corn was as high as an elephant’s The corn was as high as an elephant’s eye.eye.

I mean really! Do corn and anElephant have ANYTHING in

common?

METAPHORMETAPHOR

• Compares two or more things NOT Compares two or more things NOT using “like” or “as”. In contrast to a using “like” or “as”. In contrast to a simile, a metaphor simile, a metaphor impliesimplies the the comparison instead of stating it comparison instead of stating it directly.directly.

– ExampleExampleHe’s a bear when he’s angry!He’s a bear when he’s angry!

METAPHORS do NOT use METAPHORS do NOT use “like” or “as”“like” or “as”

*Let’s practice with #1-6**Let’s practice with #1-6*1.1. The sprinter is a(n) _______________ when she The sprinter is a(n) _______________ when she

runs.runs.2.2. The sprinters are _____________ when they The sprinters are _____________ when they

run.run.3.3. The fat man is such a(n) ________!The fat man is such a(n) ________!4.4. The 400 pound man is fatter than a(n) The 400 pound man is fatter than a(n)

__________.__________.5.5. Turn to your neighbor and create a Turn to your neighbor and create a

metaphormetaphor based upon their appearance or based upon their appearance or personality (NO NEGATIVE COMMENT, personality (NO NEGATIVE COMMENT, PLEASE).PLEASE).

6.6. Turn to yourself and create a Turn to yourself and create a metaphormetaphor based upon your appearance or personality.based upon your appearance or personality.

PERSONIFICATIONPERSONIFICATION

• A figure of speech in which an animal, A figure of speech in which an animal, object, force of nature, or idea is given object, force of nature, or idea is given human qualities or characteristicshuman qualities or characteristics

– Example:Example:-The shadow -The shadow creptcrept along along the hallway.the hallway.-My shadow -My shadow followedfollowed me meall the way home.all the way home.-My dog -My dog beggedbegged me to feed me to feed him.him.-The trees -The trees danceddanced in the wind. in the wind.

IRONYIRONY• A contrast or discrepancy between A contrast or discrepancy between

appearance and reality, or between appearance and reality, or between what is expected and what actually what is expected and what actually happens.happens.– There are three types of irony:There are three types of irony:

•Situational ironySituational irony – the actual outcome of a – the actual outcome of a situation is the opposite of someone’s situation is the opposite of someone’s expectationsexpectations

•Verbal ironyVerbal irony – a person says one thing and – a person says one thing and means another (You wreak your car and means another (You wreak your car and exclaim, “Well this is great!”)exclaim, “Well this is great!”)

•Dramatic ironyDramatic irony – the audience has – the audience has important information that characters in a important information that characters in a literary work do not haveliterary work do not have

INFERENCEINFERENCE

• The act of concluding from evidence; The act of concluding from evidence; deduction. In literature it describes deduction. In literature it describes the act of figuring something out by the act of figuring something out by using what you already know. using what you already know.

– Example:Example:

A + B = CA + B = CIf A = 2 and B = 3 then using what you know, If A = 2 and B = 3 then using what you know,

you can deduce what C equals.you can deduce what C equals.

DICTIONDICTION

• The writer’s choice of words; an The writer’s choice of words; an important element in the writer’s important element in the writer’s voice or stylevoice or style

– Good writers choose their words Good writers choose their words carefully to convey a particular meaning carefully to convey a particular meaning or feelingor feeling

DENOTATIONDENOTATION

• The literal or dictionary meaning of a wordThe literal or dictionary meaning of a word– Example: Home - a house, dwelling, a place where one Example: Home - a house, dwelling, a place where one

lives permanentlylives permanently

CONNOTATIONCONNOTATION

• The suggested or implied meanings The suggested or implied meanings associated with a word beyond its associated with a word beyond its dictionary meaningdictionary meaning– Example: Home - family, loving, safe, warmExample: Home - family, loving, safe, warm