English

flashcards for definitions

In Medias Res

In the middle of the action, often used in storytelling to engage the audience right from the start.

Exposition

The start of beginning of a story where background information is provided, including details about characters, setting, and prior events that lead to the main action.

Rising action

something that happens , incident, complication that creates suspense and tension, leading up to the climax of the story.

Exposition

The start, beginning, set up, background

Climax

Pivotal moment in story

Falling action

coming down from the climax, resolving subplots and leading to the conclusion.

Conclusion= Denoument

Tying together of the story

Short Story

The briefest most concise form of short story

Foreshadowing

Hint, clue

Romantic Plot

Epic quest - Oddessy Movie

Tragic Plot

Its a tragedy

Comedic

Humor

Inciting Incident

Rising- (contact with Arnold)

Protagonist

Main character who drives the story forward and faces the primary conflict = Connie

Characterizations

Names( what it says about a person),

Description (appearance),

Actions and inactions of a character and (Role in the narrative)

Thoughts (what we gain access to)

Protagonist

Hero, we want him to be the hero

Antagonist

Roadblock - obstructs the goal for the protagonist

Flat Character

One dimensional - Dad in the Connie story. Where are you going, Where have you been?

Round Character

Complex= Arnold

Stock Character

Background - Dad in Connie Story

Dynamic Character

Character Changes = Connie changes Beg to end of story

Static

Does not change throughout the story= no growth

Foil Character

A secondary Character who is similar but contrasts with another character “Aminadab in “the birthmark”

Setting

Time, Season, Year , Day

Place

Where story is set

Social Environment

Social climate of the story

Personification

Non human things are given human traits = Araby The houses face each other =we can all see each other suggesting communal visibility

POV= Point of View

Narrators position this impacts what we understand in the story 1st person, 2nd person, 3rd person

1st person= observer

*Unreliable narrator, 1st person is participating in the story, unreliable narrator be careful of the first person because its not always the truth= ARABY

2nd person

Focus on you , Reader as character, you decide “in order for you to make it, you have to run”

Plot Character

Setting sees through point of view- A characters perspective that shapes the narrative

3rd Person=Omnicient Narrator

Narrator knows all the thoughts and feeling of the and actions of every character providing a comprehensive view of the plot. Ex. Bob and Lucy went to the Market

Narrator/ Author distinction

Narrator as character and author of story, Sometimes its not Edgar Allen Poe but the narrator he created= Narrator saying things -Edgar Allen Poe author.

POV

Informs the ways that we encounter and understand characters Plot+Meaning

3rd person narration

limited, just select , usually one or a few characters

Objective narration

Like a reporter- no access to thoughts or feelings