Prose Terms Protagonist: Antagonist: Point of view: The main character in a story, novel or play. The character who struggles or fights against the protagonist. The perspective from which the story was told in. First Person point of view: Third Person Limited point of view: Third person omniscient point of view: When the narrative is told by one of the characters from the I point of view. This point of view is limited because the reader knows only what the character narrating knows. The narrator tells the story using he and she. This point of view can be limited, with the narrator knowing only the thoughts and feelings of one character. The narrator also tells the story using he and she, but in this case, the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters and presents the thoughts of all characters involved. Foreshadowing: Flashback: Genre: Theme: Sub-theme: Suspense: Surprise ending: Resolution: A technique for providing clues about the events that may happen later in the story. A technique for presenting information that helps explain the current (present) situation. Refers to the literary form or the type of writing, for example, short story, play, novel, The main idea of the selection. A minor idea often related to the main theme. The feeling of growing tension and excitement felt by the reader as the plot develops. It is what keeps the reader turning the pages and wondering what will happen next. An unexpected twist in the plot at the end of the story. The conclusion of the story in which the problem or conflict is solved.
Climax: Compare: Contrast: Diction: Fiction: Non-fiction: The highest point of emotional intensity, usually the turning point. The consideration of two or more things with respect to their similarities. The consideration of two or more things with respect to differences. Word choice used by a writer. Any narrative that is invented or imagined. Prose that presents actual happenings. Thematic statement: A one sentence statement that generalizes a story s message. Thesis: Irony: The main idea of an essay, usually found in the first paragraph. A literal device that is used to achieve a meaning opposite to what is actually being said -3 types: Dramatic Irony: Verbal irony: Situational Irony: irony created when he reader knows things that the character does not know and therefore the character s actions or words become either tragic or humorous. This form of irony is meant to be tragic, humorous or both. The use of figures of speech such as hyperbole and under statement to create an ironic effect. (The opposite is said from what is intended) Discrepancy between appearance and reality, or between what is and what would seem appropriate.. Plot: Setting: Short story: Prose: Satire: Dialogue: The storyline or series of episodes. The time, place and circumstances in which a story, book, drama etc. takes place. A brief fictional prose narrative, usually focuses on one character, has a limited setting and a single plot. Writing that uses ordinary language (not poetry) The use of irony to ridicule an idea, person or thing. Any conversation between characters or people.
Characterization: Character: A writer s portrayal of a character through dialogue, actions, appearance, habits, beliefs, way of speaking, etc... Is the leading figure in the story. Character types: Flat character: Round character: Stock character: Unique character: Static character: A flat character is known by one or two traits. A round character is complex and has many sides. Through the selection, we learn what he/she thinks, feels, and wants. A stereotyped character, for example, a mad scientist, cruel mother - in- law. A unique character is any character that is not one of these types. They are not predictable and they face unique situations and conflicts. A static character remains the same from the beginning of the plot to the end. Dynamic character: A dynamic character is developing and undergoes permanent change. The character learns something from the story and different at the end. Essay: A short piece of nonfiction writing dealing with a single topic or theme. It expresses a person s point of view or understanding of a particular issue. Conflict: The struggle between opposing forces; without it there would be no plot: 3 Types: Internal conflict (man vs himself) External conflict (man vs nature) Interpersonal conflict (man vs man) A character must deal with his/her own thoughts and feelings. A character struggles against something in the outside world. A character struggles against another character. Sub-conflict: Minor conflict often related to the main conflict. Fantasy: Often referred to as a fairy tale. They often invite mysterious or supernatural characters or events. Traditionally, fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel were intended for the adult community and not children as it is now thought.
Tragedy: Hyperbole: A piece of writing with an unhappy ending. In many tragedies, the hero experiences mental or physical suffering and then dies. Character is essential in a tragedy because we have to feel sympathy for the character or it is not tragic, for example, Romeo and Juliet. An exaggerated statement used to make a strong effect. Understatement: A figure of speech in which the speaker says less than what he or she feels. Narrator: Structure: Allegory: Motif: Parable: Allusion: The speaker who tells the story. The frame work that determines how a story is put together - its skeleton. The structure of most stories include four basic parts: exposition, complication, climax, and resolution. a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one A recurring object, concept or structure in a work of literature. A short narrative that illustrates a moral, philosophical or spiritual lesson. A reference in a literary work to a person, place or thing in history or another work of literature. Chronological Order: Places an event in order of time from first to last. Parallel structure: Parallel structure (also called parallelism) is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. By making each compared item or idea in your sentence follow the same grammatical pattern, you create a parallel construction. Ex: (Jan likes hiking, walking and taking afternoon naps). Repetition: Acronym: Epiphany: Biography: When words, phrases or stanzas are repeated to create an effect. Abbreviations formed from the initial components in a phrase or word. A sudden moment of realization in a story, play or other genre. An account of a person s life written by another person. Auto-biography: A person s account of his or her own life.
Cliffhanger: A melodramatic narrative which ends at a suspenseful or dramatic moment ensuring that the audience will watch the next film or read the next installment to find out what will happen. Mood: Tone: Formal: Informal: Feelings created in the reader by the selection The way in which a writer s choice of words reveal his/her attitude toward the subject or characters: For example, is the author poking fun at someone or angry) The writer uses proper grammar and follows the rules of writing. There are no short cuts (contractions, slang, etc) The writer uses a more relaxed grammar. Sentence structures may vary as well as the creative use of grammar and punctuation. This writing can be more conversational. Atmosphere: The overall mood of the story, for example, comic, mysterious, Symbolism: The use of a concrete object to stand for an abstract or more complicated idea. For example, a lion symbolizing courage. Complication: An intensification of the conflict in a story or play. Transition: Unity: Coherence: Voice: Transitions are words and phrases that provide a connection between ideas, sentences and paragraphs. Transitions help to make a piece of writing flow better. The sense that all the elements in a piece of writing fit together to create a harmonious effect. Is (1) arranging one s ideas in some logical order and (2) showing the relationship between the ideas through the use of transitional terms (or connectives), pronoun reference, repetition of key words or its synonym or parallel structure. Voice is manner in which story is told so as to connect to readers on an emotional level. The author s voice is the author s writing style and or point of view in which one writes and the character s voice is basically how the main character views the world: Active Voice: Passive Voice: Voice is active when the subject performs the action stated by the verb for example Mary mailed the letter voice is passive when the subject is acted up on by the verb for example the letter was mailed by Mary.
Stereotype: Imagery: a character who possesses one or two easily recognized and identified traits which enable the observer to accurately predict behavior and personality, i.e., the dumb blonde, the town drunk: a figure differentiated by role rather than by psychology. Language that appeals to the senses (touch, smell, taste, sight and sound) - creates mental pictures through the use of vivid description. This helps suggest additional meanings and feelings. Specific types of imagery include: Visual: Representation described through sight: Auditory: Representation of a sound Olfactory: Representation of a smell Gustatory: Representation of a taste Tactile: Representation through touch: hard, soft, wet, Organic: Internal sensation, hunger, thirst, fatigue, nausea. Kinesthetic: Movement: Physical tension Thermal: Representation though heat and cold