Vocab and Lit Terms

Exposition

The beginning of the plot where the author introduces the reader to characters, setting, narrator, and point of view.

Rising Action

The second part of a plot diagram where events begin and build suspense and create conflict.

Climax

The third part of the plot diagram; the turning point of the story

Falling action

he fourth part of the plot diagram with no new events or plot points; after the crisis and before the resolution

Resolution/Denouement

The fifth part of the plot diagram where conflict is resolved and the story concludes.

Foreshadowing

A hint to things to come 

Internal conflict

a character struggles with his or her own opposing desire, beliefs, or needs

External conflict

a character struggles against an outside force

Mood/Atmosphere

the feeling  the reader gets from a piece of literature

Point of View

the perspective from which the story is told

First-person point of view

the narrator is a character who participates in the action of the story and uses I and me to describe himself or herself

Third person omniscient point of view

the narrator knows everything, including the thoughts and felling of all the characters 

Third person limited point of view

The narrator see things through one character’s eyes and reveals that character’s feeling and thoughts 

Symbolism

a symbol is an object, person, place, etc. that means more than what it actually is

Setting

Time and place in which a story occurs

Assuage

To ease, to mitigate to make less painful or burdensome, to calm

Malevolent

Showing a desire to harm another

Erratic

Acting in a way that is not regular or expected

Fractious

Causing trouble

Scuppernongs

A type of grape native to the southern part of United States

Asinine

Stupid or silly

Benign

Not causing harm

Impudent

To be shamelessly bold and disregard other, rude, disrespectful

Dismemberment

The act of cutting off a person’s or animals limbs

Taciturn

Almost always silent