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Literary Terms

This article explains the concept of genre in literature and introduces various literary terms such as protagonist, antagonist, character, plot, setting, climax, resolution, flashback, foreshadowing, irony, point of view, symbol, and theme.

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Literary Terms

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  1. Literary Terms

  2. What is Genre? Genre is a type of form of literature. For instance, someone might say, “What genre of literature do you like to read. Challenge: Come up with at least five genres.

  3. Protagonist Main character of the story who changes • the most important character • makes a realization about self or the world around him/her Challenge: Provide the name of a protagonist and the book, movie, play… he or she is in.

  4. Antagonist • A major character who opposes the protagonist • the antagonist does not change • Types of antagonists: • people • nature • Society Challenge: Provide name of an antagonist and where he/she appears.

  5. Character • Character – a person in a story, poem or play • Types of Characters • Round – fully developed, has many different character traits • Flat-stereotyped, one-dimensional, few traits • Static– does not change • Dynamic– changes as a result of the story's events, or plot Challenge: ID your protagonist and antagonist.

  6. Characterization How the author develops the characters, especially the main character

  7. Characterization • Direct characterization • The author directly states what the character’s personality is like. • Example: “He is a cruel person.” • Indirect characterization • A character’s personality is shown through his/her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, appearance or other character’s observations or reactions. (We, as readers, make inferences.)

  8. What is the Plot? Plot: Series of events that make up a story – in other words, plot = story Climax – most exciting part Falling Action (excitement falls) Resolution Rising Action – (excitement is rising) Exposition– think “expose”

  9. Exposition • Part of the story that introduces characters, setting, and conflicts Challenge: Think of a book, movie…. and list three details you learned in the exposition.

  10. Setting • The time and place of the story’s action • Setting is part of the Exposition Challenge: Describe the setting of a book, movie… - be specific and descriptive.

  11. Rising Action • Consists of a series of complications. • These occur when the main characters take action to resolve their problems and are met with further problems: • Fear • Hostility • Threatening situation Challenge : Describe one scene in a book… that is part of the rising action.

  12. Climax The turning point in the story: the high point of interest and suspense Challenge: Describe the climax in a book…. Climax Rising Action or Complications Falling Action

  13. Falling Action All events following the climax or turning point in the story. These events are a result of the action taken at the climax. Challenge : Describe the falling action in a book…

  14. Resolution • (Dénouement) – the ultra fancy word for this • The end of the central conflict: it shows how the situation turns out and ties up loose ends Challenge: Describe the resolution in a book…

  15. Flashback The present scene in the story is interrupted to flash backward and tell what happened in an earlier time Challenge: Provide an example from a book, movie…

  16. Foreshadowing Clues the writer puts in the story to give the reader a hint of what is to come Challenge: Provide an example of foreshadowing.

  17. Irony A contrast between expectation and reality Examples: The high school student with the highest grades drops out of school. The traffic officer is arrested because of a backlog of unpaid parking tickets. Challenge: Provide an example from a book, movie, …. Or create one of your own.

  18. Types of Irony • Verbal– saying one thing but meaning something completely different. Example: Calling a clumsy basketball player “Lebron James” • Situational– A contradiction between what is expected and what really does happen Example: The Titanic sinking. • Dramatic– occurs when the reader knows something important that the characters in the story do not know. Example: We know who the murderer is, but the character does not  creates suspense Challenge : Think of an example of at least one type. Extra challenge: Go for the big three.

  19. Point of View Perspective from which writer tells the story • 1st person- One of the characters is actually telling the story using the pronoun “I” • 3rd person limited- Centers on one character’s thoughts and actions. • Omniscient- All-knowing narrator. May center on the thoughts and actions of any and all characters. Challenge: Why do you think authors use 1stPOV?

  20. Symbol An object, person, or event that functions as itself, but also stands for something more than itself. Example: Scales function is to weigh things, but they are also a symbol of our justice system. Challenge: Provide examples of three symbols and their meaning.

  21. Theme • The central message or insight into life revealed through a literary work. • The “main idea” of the story • What the author wants us to take away from the story. Challenge: What is a theme from your favorite book, movie…?

  22. Conflict • A struggle between two opposing forces • Types • Internal – takes place in a character’s own mind (i.e., decision or choice) • Man vs. Self • External – a character struggles against an outside force • Man vs. Man • Man vs. Nature • Man vs. Society Challenge: Think of an example of each type of conflict (4).

  23. Suspense Uncertainty or anxiety the reader feels about what is going to happen next in a story

  24. Tone • The speaker’s or narrator’s attitude towards the subject • Authors create tone through word choice and imagery. • May be formal, informal, somber, playful, etc.

  25. Mood The general feeling a piece of writing creates within the reader Example: You may feel saddened by what you read, or you may be roaring with laughter. Challenge: List five different kinds of “mood”

  26. Figurative Language Involves some imaginative comparison between two unlike things • Simile– compares two unlike things using like or as Example: “I wandered lonely as a cloud” • Metaphor– compares two unlike things (not using like or as) Example: Life is a roller coaster; it has lots of ups and downs.

  27. Figurative Language Personification– Gives human qualities to non-human things • “The wind screamed.” • “The fog crept in quietly.”

  28. Figurative Language Allusion: Reference to a statement, person, a place, or events from: • Literature • History • Religion • Mythology • Politics • Sports Example: “I am surprised his nose was not growing like Pinocchio’s.”

  29. Imagery Language that appeals to the senses. • Touch • Taste • Sight • Sound • Smell Challenge: Write a sentence with all 5 senses included Creating a picture in the reader’s mind through description Example: A seven-foot giant with rat-like teeth, greasy hair, hands like mitts, and musty, loose clothing

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