English (Literary Elements Glossary)

English 9/ Byrd

Inciting Incident

The event that occurs that sets in motion all the major action of a plot. It establishes the central conflict (s) for a narrative, and positions the main character as a major player in the story

Linear Plot

When the sequence of events of a narrative follows chronological order. Flashbacks and foreshadowing are possible, but they don’t totally undermine or derail the logical ordering of events

Motif

A recurrent, unifying element in an artistic work, such as an image, symbol, character type, action, idea, object, or phrase

Plot

The arrangement and interrelation of event in a narrative work, chosen and designed to engage the reader’s attention and interest, while also providing a framework for exposition of the author’s message or theme, includes other elements such as characterization, symbol, and conflict

Point of View

The vantage pint from which a narrative is told. Typical POV’s include: first person, second person, third person limited, third person omniscient. Unreliable narrator occurs when the POV of the narrator(s) is impacted by some form of disadvantage; age, health prejudice, memory loss, substance abuse, agenda, ignorance, etc.

Resolution

Generally the culmination of a fictional plot

Rising Action

The part of the narrative that follows the inciting incident and precedes the climax. During this, the plot becomes more complicated and the conflict intensifies

Simultaneous Plots

When a narrative presents two or more seemingly independent storylines of events that occur at the same time. Often, the storylines are shown to be dependent on each other or to collide with each other at the climactic moment of the narrative

Style

The author’s choices, related to diction, syntax, and literary devices, that create his or her literary signature

Subtext

When a text has an implicit or metaphorical (non-literal) meaning. In fiction, characters could be using a coded language to communicate their hidden thoughts or emotions

Theme

The statement (s), expressed or implied that a text seems to be making about its subject. It is not simply a topic but a complete idea about that topic

Tone

The attitude that the author toward the reader, audience, or subject matter of a literary work

Climax

The point of greatest tension or emotional intensity in a plot. It decided the outcome of the central conflict, and it the result of the inciting incident

Conflict

A confrontation or struggle between opposing characters or forces in the plot of a narrative work, from which the action emanates and around which it revolves. Typical conflicts:

• Character versus Self

• Character versus Another Individual

• Character versus Society (group, government, religious group)

• Character versus Nature (animals, weather, disease)

• Character versus Supernatural (god(s), demons, monsters, angels)

• Character versus Technology

• Character versus Family

• Character versus Destiny/ Fate

Deus Ex Machina

A plot device in which the intervention of a nonhuman force resolves a seemingly unresolvable conflict in a literary work. It also refers more generally to improbable or artificial resolutions of conflicts, perhaps through unbelievable coincidences or unexpected strokes of good luck.

Exposition

When key background information of a narrative is given including things like biographical information about the main character and the features of the setting of the story

Falling action

The portion of the plot that follows the climax or crisis and that leads to and culminates in the resolution. Perhaps addresses the sublots as they relate to the climax

Flashback

A scene that interrupts the present action of a narrative work to depict some earlier event via reverie, dream, remembrance, or some other mechanism

Foreshadowing

The technique of introducing of introducing into a narrative material that prepares the reader or audience for future, events, actions, or revelations

Frame Narrative

A story that contains another story or stories. Usual ______ explains why the interior story or stories being told. Examples of this narrative structure include The Great Gatsby, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Canterbury Tales, and Frankenstein

Genre

The classification of literary works on the basis of their content, form, or technique. Examples are Poetry, Essay, Drama, Novel, Story. There can be subcategories, including Tragedy, Comedy, Memoir, Gothic, Fantasy, etc

In Medias Res

The literary technique of beginning a narrative in the middle of action. Crucial actions, even the inciting incident, occurred before the point at which the narrative starts. These are related to the reader later via flashbacks