Literary Terms We will be using these literary terms throughout the school year. You need to keep up with your notes. Don t lose your terms! You might be able to use them be RESPONSIBLE!!
We will use the following terms: Character Antagonist Protagonist Diction Denotation Connotation Imagery Mood Poetry Devices Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution Conflict Flashback Foreshadowing Suspense Point of View Setting Mood Theme Tone Personification Metaphor Simile Oxymoron Alliteration Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Irony Inference Haiku Round Character Flat Character Motif Allusion
Fiction Imaginary elements Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Horror / Adventure Can be based on real people and events Realistic fiction/historical fiction
Nonfiction Real events, people, and places Autobiography/biography Personal narrative/memoirs Newspapers Informative articles
Character A character is a person or an animal that takes part in the action of a literary work.
Edward Cullen from Twilight Shakespeare s Titatnia Queen of the faeries in A Midsummer Night s Dream Jace from The Mortal Instruments Wilbur from Charlotte s Web
Round vs Flat Character Static vs Dynamic Character Round = diverse, well-developed with several character traits Dynamic = undergoes a change of some kind (personality, thoughts, or beliefs) by the end of the story Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games is a Round/Dynamic Character that undergoes major changes from saving her sister to taking down the capitol. Flat = minor character we know little about with limited characteristics 2 dimensional Static = character that never changes personality, thoughts, or beliefs President Snow is an unwavering, static character who remained steadfast in his thoughts and actions in The Hunger Games
Round/Dynamic & Flat/Static Most major characters are round characters that usually undergo a change which means they can be round and dynamic However, some round characters can remain static or unchanging Most flat characters are also 1 dimensional and unchanging which also makes them static. Round/Dynamic protagonists are common Characters that are flat are often static as well and are often minor characters but some major characters are static Let's put it all together now--check this out
Protagonist The Protagonist is the main character in a literary work Comes from prefix pro meaning for, to move forward Can you name some famous Protagonists that are found in literature?
Protagonists also come in all shapes, sizes, species, etc. Ender from? Ponyboy Curtis and the Greasers Catherine & Heathcliff Who is the main protagonist? Katniss Everdeen from? Who is this?
The truth behind protagonists In the past, were fictional protagonists primarily good or bad? Can protagonists of stories, novels, video games, movies, etc. be considered immoral or bad? Can authors or directors manipulate the reader to support, root for, or even like protagonists that are bad? Can you think of any bad guys/gals that are protagonists?
Protagonists that are bad Amy Dunn the wife who found her revenge The story of how Elpha became the Wicked Witch novel to Broadway Appearances can be deceiving Good or Bad? From Showtime s series Dexter Comic book to Big Screen
Antagonist The Antagonist is a character or force in conflict with a main character, or protagonist. Does not have to be human Comes from prefix anti meaning opposing/opposite
Do you know your Antagonists??? On your paper take a few minutes to write down some Antagonists that you can recall from short stories, novels, movies, television shows, and video games Remember the Antagonist is in conflict with the Protagonist, or main character! Helpful hint you should now know why people use the saying Don t antagonize me!
NAME THAT ANTAGONIST Antagonists can be anyone or anything that poses as an obstacle for the protagonist
Imagery Imagery is words or phrases that appeal to one or more of the five senses. Writers use imagery to describe how their subjects look, sound, feel, taste, and smell.
IMAGERY IN THE OLDEN DAYS I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud by William Wadsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed---and gazed---but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.
EXAMPLES OF IMAGERY in Musical Poetry If you're tired and hopeless, how can you show someone this instead of just telling them? I took a walk around the world to Ease my troubled mind I left my body laying somewhere In the sands of time I watched the world float to the dark Side of the moon I feel there is nothing I can do --"Kryptonite" by Three Doors Down If you're a rapper, instead of telling someone to let your freestyles come naturally, how can you show them with your words? From the family tree of old school hip hop Kick off your shoes and relax your socks The rhymes will spread just like a pox Cause the music is live like an electric shock --Beastie Boys "Intergalactic" From Hello Nasty You Have to Show Me What You Are Saying--Check This Out
Figurative Language A figure of speech is a specific device or kind of figurative language, such as hyperbole, metaphor, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia, simile, oxymoron or understatement. Figurative language is used for descriptive effect, often to imply ideas indirectly. It is not meant to be taken literally. Figurative language is used to state ideas in vivid and imaginative ways.
Metaphor A Metaphor is a type of speech that compares or equates two or more things that have something in common. A metaphor does NOT use like or as. Example: Life is a bowl of cherries.
Simile A Simile is another figure of speech that compares seemingly unlike things. Simile s DO use the words like, as, than, or resembles. Example: Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Cover Your Ears Example: She laughed like a hyena
Personification Personification is a figure of speech in which an animal, object, force of nature, or idea is given human qualities or characteristics. Example: The chair held to me and rocked back and forth.
Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Alliteration gives emphasis to words. --True alliteration is either 3 or more words with the same consonant sounds together or close by. --2 words can be alliteration but it is better when the 2 words are names such as Mickey Mouse Example: Take Tommy to the train station today.
Alliterative Fun Caring Cats Rain Caring cats cascade off Rain races, Laughing llamas Ripping like wind. Lounging. Its restless rage Underneath yelling yaks Rattles like Yelling at roaming Rocks ripping through Rats The air.
Onomatopoeia The sound that is being described A word given to the sound something makes
Hyperbole An exaggeration Often an extreme exaggeration This can be used to add humor or for dramatic effect This is also used to emphasize a point Examples: That cracks me up Examples: I laughed my head off.
Oxymoron An Oxymoron is a figure of speech that is a combination of seemingly contradictory words. Examples: Same difference Pretty ugly Roaring silence
Allusion An Allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to people, places, events, or literary works directly or by implying them. Mythology and The Bible are often mentioned or alluded to in literary works
Irony Special contrast between reality and appearance Usually one in which reality is the opposite from what it seems
Irony Situational-contrast between what would seem appropriate and what really happens or what we expect to happen is in fact quite opposite to what really does take place This is like a surprise ending or a twist in the plot that you didn t expect. Irony in Animated Films When you think have a mystery or whodunit figured out and you are shocked at the end. Isn't It Ironic Don't You Think
Irony Verbal-someone knowingly exaggerates or says one thing and means another Sarcasm is often verbal irony We use this in our every day lives Example: We try to be civilized here, said General Zaroff. The Most Dangerous Game
Irony Dramatic-When the reader or viewer knows something that a character does not know. The writer wants the reader/audience to know. It is NOT A CLUE/HINT. It is direct. Romeo and Juliet example
MOOD Mood, or atmosphere, is the feeling created in the reader by a literary work or passage. Writer s use many devices to create mood, including images, dialogue, setting, and plot. Often, a writer creates a mood at the beginning of a work and then sustains the mood throughout. Sometimes, however, the mood of the work changes dramatically. **Edgar Alan Poe s The Tell-Tale Heart emits a mood of terror based on the insanity of the murderous protagonist
Tone Tone is a reflection of a writer s or speaker s attitude toward a subject of a poem, story, or other literary work. Tone may be communicated through words and details that express particular emotions and that evoke and emotional response from the reader. For example, word choice or phrasing may seem to convey respect, anger, lightheartedness, or sarcasm. What mood do you feel after watching this?
Style Style is the distinctive way in which an author uses language. Word choice, phrasing, sentence length, tone, dialogue, purpose, and attitude toward the audience and subject can all contribute to an author s writing style.
Plot Plot is the sequence of events. The first event causes the second, the second causes the third, and so forth. In most novels, dramas, short stories, and narrative poems, the plot involves both characters and a central conflict. The plot usually begins with an exposition that introduces the setting, the characters, and the basic situation. This is introduced and developed. The conflict then increases until it reaches a high point of interest or suspense, the climax. The climax is followed by the falling action, or end, of the central conflict. Any events that occur during the falling action make up the resolution.
PLOTLINE Climax Exposition Resolution Conflict Introduced= Inciting Incident
Exposition The Exposition is the introduction. It is the part of the work that introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation. ***In Harry Potter & the Sorcerer Stone, we quickly learn that Harry was turning 11, had a mysterious scar on his forehead, was living with his very disgruntled and burdened aunt, uncle, and bullying cousin due to the death of his parents when he was a baby. At the end of the exposition, we learn that he was the product of two wizard parents and on his way to entering Hogwarts.
Rising Action Rising Action is the part of the plot that begins to occur as soon as the primary conflict is introduced. The rising action adds complications to the conflict and increases reader interest.
Climax The Climax is the point of greatest emotional intensity, interest, or suspense in the plot of a narrative. On a plot diagram, it is the highest point due to how intense it is and immediately after the climax, there is a drastic drop in events leading to the resolution. The climax typically comes at the turning point in a story or drama.
Falling Action Falling Action is the action that typically follows the climax and reveals its results.
Resolution The Resolution is the part of the plot that concludes the falling action by revealing or suggesting the outcome of the conflict.
Conflict Conflict is the struggle between opposing forces in a story or play. There are two types of conflict that exist in literature.
External Conflict External conflict exists when a character struggles against some outside force, such as another character, nature, society, or fate. Person vs. Person Person vs. Society Person vs. Nature (environment) Person vs. Machine (Technology) Person vs. Time Person vs. Supernatural Person vs. Fate (more currently accepted) These are the primary 4 and the ones we will focus on this year
NAME THAT EXTERNAL CONFLICT
Internal Conflict Internal conflict exists within the mind of a character who is torn between different courses of action. Questioning In a predicament Having a Dilemma What to Do? Example: Person vs. Self
Man Versus Self
Flashback A flashback is a literary device in which an earlier episode, conversation, or event is inserted into the sequence of events. Often flashbacks are presented as a memory of the narrator or of another character.
Flashback continued The movie Titanic is told almost entirely in a flashback. What are some other films that contain flashback to help tell stories? Holes Willy Wonka Think of some more Flashback in Literature brought to life
Foreshadowing Foreshadowing is the author s use of clues to hint at what might happen later in the story. Writers use foreshadowing to build their readers expectations and to create suspense. This is used to help readers prepare for what is to come.
Can you think of an element of foreshadowing? Examples: -- The transformation of Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader -- Horror movies and psychological thrillers often use foreshadowing
Suspense Suspense is the growing interest and excitement readers experience while awaiting a climax or resolution in a work of literature. It is a feeling of anxious uncertainty about the outcome of events. Writers create suspense by raising questions in the minds of their readers. Stonitsch fun time What are your reactions during suspenseful parts? Horror Movie Hilarities
Point of View Point of View is the perspective, or vantage point, from which a story is told. It is the relationship of the narrator to the story. First-person is told by a character who uses the first-person pronoun I. Narrator is in the story. Third-person limited point of view is the point of view where the narrator uses third-person pronouns such as he and she to refer to the characters. Narrator is not a character in the story.
Types of Third Person 3 rd Person Limited: storyteller lets us know thoughts and feelings of main character (protagonist) only 3 rd Person Omniscent: storyteller lets us know thoughts and feeling of all characters. Omni = everywhere scient = to know
Setting The setting of a literary work is the time and place of the action. The setting includes all the details of a place and time the year, the time of day, even the weather. The place may be a specific country, state, region, community, neighborhood, building, institution, or home. Details such as dialect, clothing, customs, and modes of transportation are often used to establish setting. In most stories, the setting serves as a backdrop a context in which the characters interact. The setting of a story often helps to create a particular mood, or feeling.
Theme The theme of a literary work is its central message, concern, or purpose. A theme can usually be expressed as a generalization, or general statement, about people or life. The theme may be stated directly by the writer although it is more often presented indirectly. When the theme is stated indirectly, the reader must figure out the theme by looking carefully at what the work reveals about the people or about life. A true theme in literature is a complete sentence. A thematic idea is one or 2 words but not a true theme until turned into a complete thought.
Motif A Motif is a recurring symbol throughout literature that helps develop them. A motif can be a word, image, sound, character, archetype, etc. Examples: The repetition of light and dark in Romeo and Juliet help develop the beauty of their love being pulled down by the darkness of hate. The Wicked Stepmother is a motif in Disney Films
Inference A conclusion derived from facts/evidence Making an educated guess based on what you have read, learned, or know While reading a story, you may be able to infer something about the character based on what you have read in regards to his action, thoughts, viewpoints of others, etc.
Diction Diction is the manner in which we express words; the wording used. Diction = enunciation Some easy examples are: Don t say goin say going, Don t say wanna say want to *Now, it s your turn to provide some enunciation errors or slurs
Denotation The denotation of a word is its dictionary meaning, independent of other associations that the word may have. Mad is defined as insane or crazy
Connotation The connotation of a word is the set of ideas associated with it in addition to its explicit meaning. The connotation of a word can be personal, based on individual experiences. More often, cultural connotations those recognizable by most people in a group determine a writer s word choices.
Denotation versus Connotation Some examples Cheap is low in cost (denotation) but stingy or poorly made are the connotations of cheap Mad is insane, mentally detached from reality (denotation) but being angry or upset are now connotations of mad which changes the true meaning
Let s use the word HOT The denotation (or dictionary definition remember d in denotation = dictionary) of HOT is having a temperature higher than that of a human body. However, when you say Man! He/She is hot!, are you saying Man! He is having a temperature higher than that of a human body!? NO!!!!!!!!! You are saying the CONNOTATION of HOT which could mean a variety of things man he/she is cute, attractive, beautiful, and many other meanings those come from personal experiences and cultural meanings, etc.
Yay!!!! We Are Finished