Ela midterm

Protagonist and Antagonist

The protagonist is the central character (not always a “hero”), while the Antagonist is the force or person standing in their way. Understanding this dynamic is the first step to identifying the story’s core tension.

Conflict (Internal vs. External)

Conflict drives the plot. It can be External (Man vs.Nature, Man vs. Society, Man vs. Man, Man vs. Fate, Man vs. Supernatural, Man vs. Technology) or internal (Man vs. Self), where the character struggles with their own beliefs or emotions

Setting

More than just a location, the setting includes the time, place, and social atmosphere. Look for how the setting influences the mood or restricts the chracters’ choices.

Plot structure

The standard arc involves:

Exposition: Background info.

Rising Action: Building tension.

Climax: The turning point.

Falling action: Dealing with the climax’s aftermath.

Resolution: The final outcome.

Theme

The universal message or “big idea” the author wants to convey about human nature or the world. Note: A theme is a statement (e.g., “Power corrupts”), not just a topic(e.g., “Power”).

Tone vs. Mood

Tone: The author’s attitude toward the subject (e.g., sarcastic, solemn).

Mood: The feeling the reader gets from the text (e.g., eerie, joyful).

Point of View (POV)

Who is telling the story?

1st person: I or we

3rd Person limited: Focuses on one character’s thoughts.

3rd Person Omniscient: The “all-knowing” Narrator who see everyone’s thoughts.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues dropped early in the story that suggest what will happen later. It builds anticipation and makes the ending feel “earned”.

Irony

Verbal: Saying the opposite of what is meant sarcasm).

Situational: The opposite of what is expected happens.

Dramatic: The audience knows something the character do not.

Symbolism

When an object, person, or place represents an abstract idea. (eg., a dove representing peace, or a decaying mansion representing a family’s downfall).

Imagery

Vivid descriptive language that appeals to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to create “mental pictures” for the reader. Imagery often includes metaphors and /or similes.

Characterization

How an author develops a character.

Direct: The author tells you (e.g., “He was a mean man”)

Indirect: You infer it through speech, thoughts, effects on others, actions, and looks (The STEAL acronym).

Flashback

An interruption in the chronological sequence of a story to show an event that happened earlier, providing necessary context for a charcter’’s motivations.

Allegory

A story where every element (characters, setting, plot) serves as a symbol for a larger moral, religious, or political meaning.

Juxtaposition

Placing two contrasting concepts, characters, or ideas side-by-side to highlight their differences. (e.g., describing a beautiful flower growing in a trash heap).

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. Authors use allusions to simplify complex ideas by tapping into the reader’s prior knowledge (e.g., calling a character a “ Romeo” to quickly establish their romantic nature).

Motif

A recurring image, sound, action, or other figure that has symbolic significance and contributes toward the development of a theme. While a symbol might appear once, a motif repeats throughout the text to reinforce the story’s deeper meaning.

Diction

The author’s specific choice of words. Analyze if the diction is formal, informal, ornate, or colloquial, and how that choice changes the reader’s perception of a character or scene.

Paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly, but which may include a latent truth. It is used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to accpted traditional ideas (e.g., “I must be cruel to be kind”).

Satire

A technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. It often aims to improve humanity by drawing attention to its flaws.