English- Literary Devices

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Motif

a broad idea or topic that is covered in a short story or a novel

Theme

the central idea or truth a story reveals about life

Static

A Character who stays the same throughout the story

Dynamic

A Character who undergoes an important inner change

Round

A Character you know a lot about

Flat

A Character you do not know a lot about

Minor Character

A Character only briefly mentioned (less than flat character)

Sympathetic

A Character whose situation you understand, sympathize with or relate to

Protagonist

The central character of a work of literature

Antagonist

The Character or force in conflict with the protagonist

Direct Characterization

in a story, the author simply tells you what a character is like. 

Indirect Characterization

in a story, the author shows you what a character is like through their thoughts, words, feelings, choices, and actions

Exposition

 the first parts of the plot character, setting and basic situation revealed includes inciting incident

Rising Action

The main part of story, moves plot along, complications arise

Climax

The main part of the story, complications arise

Falling Action/Denouement

Events that follow the climax and lead to resolution

Resolution

The end of the story

Man vs man

A mental or physical struggle between characters

Man vs nature

A struggle between a character and mother nature

Man vs society

A struggle between a character and the laws/beliefs of a group

Man vs self

A struggles between a character and their feelings, conscience or fear

Third person objective

narrator is a reporter of facts as a seemingly neutral and impersonal outside observer. Cannot report thoughts or feelings. 

Third person limited

narrator is an outside observer that focuses on the thoughts and feelings of only one character

Third person omniscient

narrator is an outside observer who can tell us the thoughts and feelings of ALL characters in the story.

First person

told from the viewpoint of one of the characters in the story, uses pronouns “I” and “we”.

Point of View

 the perspective/standpoint from which the story is told

Situational irony

When what happens is the opposite of what is expected

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something a character does not know

Verbal Irony

What is said is the opposite of what is meant

Symbolism

The use of an object or a colour to represent a broader idea