Video Notes: Conflict, Characterization, and Figurative Language

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes.

Conflict

A clash or struggle between opposing forces in a story.

Internal Conflict

A struggle that takes place within a character's mind or emotions.

External Conflict

A struggle between a character and an outside force.

Character vs. Character

An external conflict where a character struggles against another character.

Character vs. Society

An external conflict where a character fights against social norms, laws, or beliefs.

Character vs. Nature

An external conflict where a character contends with natural forces.

Character vs. Supernatural

An external conflict where a character battles supernatural forces.

Static Character

A character who undergoes little or no inner change; does not grow or develop.

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes an important inner change in personality or attitude.

Flat Character

Two-dimensional and uncomplicated; remains largely unchanged throughout a work.

Round Character

Complex and well-developed; exhibits depth and undergoes development.

Direct Characterization

The author explicitly reveals a character's traits.

Indirect Characterization

Traits are inferred from a character's speech, thoughts, effects on others, actions, or looks.

STEAL (Indirect Characterization)

An acronym for analyzing indirect characterization: Speech, Thoughts, Effect on Others, Actions, Looks.

Imagery

The use of words and phrases to create mental images for the reader.

Figurative Language

The use of figures of speech to describe, often through comparisons (similes, metaphors, personification).

Simile

A comparison between two unlike things using like or as.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using like or as.

Personification

Giving human qualities to nonhuman things.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues that suggest what will happen later in a story without spoiling the plot.