Module 1 – Creative Non-Fiction & Literary Genres

Vocabulary flashcards covering definitions of genres, poetic devices, narrative elements, dramatic conventions, and key literary terms from Module 1 on Creative Non-Fiction and related literary genres.

Fiction

Literature created from the imagination; may be inspired by real events but is not strictly factual.

Nonfiction

Writing based on real people, places, and events; factually accurate.

Poetry

Literary form that uses rhythm, imagery, and figurative language to express ideas or emotions.

Drama

Genre written in script form, containing dialogue and stage directions, intended for performance.

Creative Non-Fiction

True stories told with literary techniques of fiction—style, voice, narrative pacing—while remaining factually accurate.

Literary Genre

Category or type of literature sharing similar style, structure, themes, or purpose.

Verse

A single line of a poem.

Stanza

A grouped set of lines within a poem, comparable to a paragraph in prose.

Blank Verse

Unrhymed lines, usually written in iambic pentameter (e.g., many of Shakespeare’s works).

Free Verse

Poetry without regular rhyme or meter; mimics natural speech.

Rhymed Verse

Poetry that follows a consistent rhyme pattern.

Rhyme

Repetition of identical or similar ending sounds in two or more words.

Rhyme Scheme

Pattern of end-rhymes in a poem, labeled with letters (e.g., ABAB, AABB).

Perfect Rhyme

Exact match in sound (e.g., light/night).

Slant Rhyme

Approximate or near rhyme where sounds are similar but not identical (e.g., worm/swarm).

Internal Rhyme

Rhyme occurring within the same line of poetry.

Meter

Pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poetic line; determines its rhythmic structure.

Theme (Poetry)

Central message or underlying idea conveyed by a poem.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create mental pictures.

Visual Imagery

Imagery related to sight.

Olfactory Imagery

Imagery related to smell.

Auditory Imagery

Imagery related to sound.

Tactile Imagery

Imagery related to touch.

Gustatory Imagery

Imagery related to taste.

Plot

Sequence of events in a story.

Exposition

Introductory part of a story where characters and setting are presented.

Rising Action

Series of events introducing and escalating the central problem or conflict.

Climax

Most exciting or turning point of the story.

Falling Action

Events following the climax where conflicts begin to resolve.

Resolution

Conclusion of the story where loose ends are tied up.

Point of View

Perspective from which a story is told.

First-Person POV

Narrator speaks as “I,” directly involved in the story.

Third-Person POV

Narrator refers to characters as “he,” “she,” or “they.”

Second-Person POV

Narration that addresses the reader as “you”; rarely used.

Limited POV

Narrator’s knowledge is restricted to one character’s thoughts or feelings.

Omniscient POV

Narrator knows all characters’ thoughts and events—an “all-knowing” perspective.

Character (Literature)

Person, animal, or entity performing actions in a story.

Protagonist

Main character who drives the story forward.

Antagonist

Character or force opposing the protagonist.

Minor/Observer Character

Less central figure who may narrate or witness events.

Complex Character

Character exhibiting change or multiple dimensions throughout the story.

Simple Character

Character who shows little or no change; one-dimensional.

Tone

Author’s attitude toward the subject or audience.

Mood (Atmosphere)

Emotional feeling experienced by the reader.

Symbol

Object, person, or event representing something beyond its literal meaning.

Irony

Contrast between expectation and reality, creating surprise or deeper meaning.

Verbal Irony

Speaker says one thing but means the opposite.

Situational Irony

Outcome is the opposite of what was expected by characters or readers.

Dramatic Irony

Audience knows information that characters do not, creating tension or humor.

Drama Characters List

Roster at play’s beginning naming who appears in the performance.

Setting (Drama)

Time and place where a play’s action occurs.

Descriptions (Drama)

Background details about prior events, character feelings, or environment provided before dialogue.

Dialogue

Spoken lines exchanged by characters in a play.

Stage Directions

Instructions telling actors how to move, speak, or behave on stage.

Fable

Short story with talking animals that conveys a clear moral lesson.

Greek Tragedy

Classical play featuring a tragic hero, chorus, fate vs. free will, and catharsis.

Ballad

Simple narrative poem with rhyme, rhythm, and repeated refrains.

Sonnet

14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme.

Play/Drama (Traditional)

Work written for performance, organized into acts and scenes, driven by dialogue.

Epic

Long narrative poem about a hero’s journey, often involving gods or supernatural elements.

Short Story

Brief prose narrative with one main plot, limited characters, and a single theme.

Novel

Extended fictional prose with complex plot, detailed setting, character development, and multiple themes.

Archetype

Universal symbol, theme, character type, or setting recurring across literature and culture.