Literary TermsMiss Cifu

August 7, 2014

Conflict Conflict is a fight, battle, or struggle,

which is usually prolonged. There are two types of conflicts that

characters may face› Internal› External

Internal Conflict A psychological struggle within the mind of a

literary or dramatic character, the resolution of which creates the plot's suspense.

Example: “To be, or not to be; that is the question.”

External Conflict A struggle

between a literary or dramatic character and an outside force such as nature or another character, which drives the dramatic action of

the plot.› Common types of

external conflicts: Man v. man Man v. nature Man v. technology Man v. the

supernatural Man v. society Man v. destiny

External Conflict Examples:

› Katniss Everdeen has to fight against the other participants in the Hunger Games in order to stay alive. This is an example of man v. man conflict.

› Katniss Everdeen has to participate in the Hunger Games because the government demands a tribute. This is an example of man v. society.

Irony A technique of indicating, as through

character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated.› There are different types of irony

Situational irony Dramatic irony

Situational irony Irony involving a situation in which

actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

Example:› A police station is robbed.

Dramatic irony Irony that is inherent in speeches or a

situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play.› Basically, dramatic irony is when the audience

knows something that the character does not. Example:

› In Toy Story, the toys move when people are not around. The audience knows this, but Andy and his mom don’t.

Direct characterization The process by which the personality of

a fictitious character is revealed by the use of descriptive adjectives, phrases, or epithets.› The author tells you specifics about the

character. Example:

› Clifford was a big, red dog.

Indirect characterization The process by which the personality of a

fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.› The author implies things about the reader.

He or she tells you without actually telling you. Example:

› “I jumped up, knocking over my chair, and had reached the door when Mama called, 'Pick up that chair, sit down again, and say excuse me.” (“Scarlet Ibis”)

Indirect characterization How can we learn about a character’s traits? STEAL

› 1. Speech: What does the character say and how does he or she speak?

› 2. Thoughts: What is shown about the character through his or her private thoughts and feelings?

› 3. Effect: What effect does the character have on other people? How do they feel or react to him or her?

› 4. Actions: What does the character do? How does the character act in different situations?

› 5. Looks: What does the character's appearance say about his or her personality?

Plot The plan, scheme, or main story of a

literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story.

Example:› Star Wars: A New Hope is about a boy who

learns that his father was a Jedi knight.

Point of View The position of the narrator in relation to

the story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook from which the events are depicted and by the attitude toward the characters.› There are several types of points of view

First person Second person Third person Omniscient Limited Omniscient

First person The story is narrated by a character

who participates in the story.› We need to question the validity of this

narrator’s perspective because he or she may not be objective.

› If the narrator is too subjective, he or she is said to be unreliable.

Example:› I’m so fancy; you already know. I’m in the

fast lane from L.A. to Tokyo.

Second person Hardly ever used, this point of view

addresses the main character as “you.”› Mostly used in self-help books and recipes.› Don’t use it….like ever.

Example:› Next, you place the cookies in the oven.

Third person Narrator does not participate in the

action of the story, but can comment on the feelings of the characters.

Example› Miss Cifu: When Miss Cifu was making this

PowerPoint for you, she had some trouble coming up with examples.

Omniscient & Limited Omniscient

Omniscient: Narrator knows everything about all the characters. He or she is all-knowing.

Limited omniscient: The narrator knows everything there is to know about one character.

Symbolism The practice of representing things by

symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character.› An object (usually) that represents

something else. Example:

› A wedding ring symbolizes marriage.

Voice A writer’s distinctive “sound” or way of

speaking.

Evidence That which tends to prove or disprove

something Example:

› This video provides audio and visual evidence in response to a claim.

› http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_DVvNK7mRA

Diction Style of speaking or writing as

dependent upon choice of words› Simply put, diction is word choice.

Example: › Formal diction: Hello, everyone.› Informal diction: Hey, y’all!

Description A statement, picture in words, or

account that describes. Example:

› Shawty had them Apple Bottom jeans and those boots with the fur, and the whole club was looking at her.

Inference A conclusion reached on the basis of

evidence and reasoning. Example:

› Original statement: I came in like a wrecking ball.

› Inference: Miley did some damage.

Prediction A statement about what will happen or

might happen in the future.› Example:

I predict that we will be studying short stories after today.

Works Cited "Dictionary.com - Free Online English

Dictionary." . N.p., n.d. Web. 23 July 2014. <http://dictionary.reference.com/>.