English 11E - Story and Poetry (INCOMPLETE)

Plot

The sequence or pattern of events in a story. The action usually results from the interaction or conflict between characters or opposing forces.

Antecedent Action

Important action that takes place before the story begins. Example: In *Star Wars*, the backstory of the Empire's rise is antecedent action to the events of the film.

Initial Incident

An action or event that sets the conflict of opposing forces into motion. Example: When Katniss Everdeen volunteers for the Hunger Games, the initial incident sets the plot in motion.

Rising Action

The building of tension between opposing forces in a story.

Climax

The moment of highest intensity and interest in a story. It is usually the turning point and the point at which the conflict is resolved. Example: The final, decisive battle between the protagonist and the antagonist.

Falling Action/Denouement

Loose ends of the story are connected and explained. Example: After the final battle, the hero returns home and things begin to return to normal.

Resolution/Conclusion

The final resolution where characters may change, any final details are explained, and any misunderstandings are set straight.

Protagonist

Also known as the main character in a story who carries the action. Example: Luke Skywalker in *Star Wars*.

Antagonist

Something or someone that is in opposition to or in strong conflict with the protagonist. Example: Darth Vader in *Star Wars*.

Secondary or Minor Characters

Characters who play very small, supporting roles in a story. Example: The Stormtroopers in *Star Wars*.

Direct Presentation of Characterization

What the author 'tells' you about a character. Example: 'Jane was an honest and hardworking woman.'

Indirect Presentation of Characterization

Reveals information about a character through what they say, think, and do, or what other characters say about them. Example: Jane stays late to help a coworker and says, 'I couldn't just leave a mess for someone else.'

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes a significant and lasting change as a result of an experience in the story. Example: Ebenezer Scrooge in *A Christmas Carol*.

Static Character

A character that does not change in the course of the story. Example: Sherlock Holmes, who remains brilliant and logical throughout his stories.

Character Foil

A character whose behaviour, attitudes, and opinions contrast with those of the protagonist. The foil helps the reader to understand the protagonist's character and motivation. Example: Dr. Watson is a foil to Sherlock Holmes; his practicality highlights Holmes's eccentricity.

External Conflict

A struggle between one person and another person or thing. It can be physical, emotional, or psychological.

Person vs. Person

Person vs. Nature

Person vs. Society

Person vs. Supernatural

Internal Conflict

A struggle between one person and himself/herself, usually emotionally or psychologically. Example: A character deciding whether to reveal a painful truth or keep it a secret.

Person vs. Self

Setting

The time and place in which a story occurs. This can include the physical setting, social setting (occupations, beliefs), and time (year, season, day).

Point of View

This refers to who tells the story, and how the story is told.

First Person Point of View

Occurs when one of the characters tells the story using 'I' and the events are shown from his or her eyes only.

Third Person Omniscient

The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in the story and is free to go anywhere or see anything.

Third Person Limited

The narrator is limited to knowing the thoughts and feelings of only one character.

Situational Irony

The discrepancy between what is appropriate and what would seem appropriate, or between what is expected to happen and what happens. Example: A fire station burning down.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience or reader knows something that the character does not. Example: In *Romeo and Juliet*, the audience knows that Juliet is only sleeping, but Romeo thinks she is dead.

Verbal Irony

A character says one thing but means the opposite. Example: Saying 'What a beautiful day' when it is pouring rain.

Theme

A statement expressing the main idea of a story, which often comments on life in general or human behavior.

Foreshadowing

A hint of something that may happen later in the story. Example: A character's constant mention of a rusty old boat that later breaks down and leaves them stranded.

Imagery

Details and descriptions in which the five senses are used to create pictures for the reader. Example: 'The crisp, sweet scent of cinnamon filled the warm kitchen.'

Allusion

A reference to a famous literary, mythological, historical, or Biblical figure/event. Example: 'He was a real Romeo with the ladies.'

Antithesis

The arrangement of contrasting words, sentences, or ideas in a balanced grammatical structure. Example: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.'

Apostrophe

Addressing a non-living object, abstract idea, or dead person as though it were alive. Example: 'O, happy dagger! This is thy sheath.'

Euphemism

Using mild or vague words in place of more harsh or blunt ones. Example: Saying 'passed away' instead of 'died.'

Hyperbole

An exaggeration that is not intended to deceive. Example: 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.'

Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'All the world's a stage.'

Metonymy

The substitution of one word for another closely related word. Example: 'The pen is mightier than the sword.' ('Pen' for writing, 'sword' for fighting).

Oxymoron

A phrase consisting of contradictory terms. Example: 'Jumbo shrimp.'

Paradox

A statement that first appears contradictory, but actually reveals a truth. Example: 'I must be cruel to be kind.'

Personification

Giving non-human things human characteristics. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

Pun

A play on words (spelling, sound, meaning); often creates a double-meaning. Example: 'A boiled egg every morning is hard to beat.'

Simile

The comparison of two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'He is as brave as a lion.'

Symbolism

An object that represents something else (usually of greater importance). Example: A dove is a symbol of peace.

Synecdoche

Using parts to represent the whole. Example: 'All hands on deck.' ('Hands' for sailors).

Understatement

The opposite of exaggeration. Example: Saying 'It's a bit chilly' when it's freezing outside.

Alliteration

The repetition of first letter consonant sounds in nearby words. Example: 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.'

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. Example: 'The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.'

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds within nearby words. Example: 'The pitter-patter of little feet.'

Onomatopoeia

Words whose sounds suggest their meaning. Example: 'Buzz,' 'hiss,' 'pop.'

Rhyme Scheme

A labelling system using the alphabet to illustrate the rhyming pattern. Example: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG for a Shakespearean sonnet.

Ballad

A fairly short, simple narrative poem, often about a popular legend, tragic event, or great love.

Blank Verse

A closed form of poetry with no rhyme, but contains a set rhythm of iambic pentameter. Example: Many of Shakespeare's plays are written in blank verse.

Sonnet

A lyric poem of fourteen lines in iambic pentameter that presents a problem and solution. Example: Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' ('Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?').

English (Shakespearean) Sonnet

A sonnet with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet

A sonnet with the rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA CDCDCD (or CDECDE).

Free Verse

An open form of poetry with no set rhythm or rhyme and varying line lengths.

Haiku

A Japanese verse form of three unrhyming lines in five, seven, and five syllables.

Ode

A lyric poem on a serious subject, written in a dignified style.

Lyric

A poem that expresses the personal feelings or emotions of a single speaker.

Elegy

A poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.

Epic

A long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds.

Villanelle

A French form of lyric poetry consisting of five tercets and a final quatrain with two rhymes.

Parody

A poem making fun of a serious poem while copying its style.

Satire

Sarcasm/irony/wit used to ridicule/mock the silliness of human behavior.

Context (Background)

Becomes clear with re-reading and analysis.

Tone

The poet's or speaker's attitude towards the subject or audience; look at word choice (diction), figures of speech, literary devices (irony).

Mood

The attitude or atmosphere that runs through the poem.

Antecedent Action

Important action that happens before the story begins

Exposition

The Introduction- Gives bacground info that furthers the plot

Round Character

Realistic character with several dimensions

Flat Character

A minor character with one apparent quality

Stereotype

Conventional image held about a certain group

Motivation

The drive/ incentive that causes a character ti behave a certain way

Dilemma

Character must make a difficult decision between 2 undesirable alternatives - Creates Suspense

Dialect

Speech characteristic from a particular region, social class or people

Epiphany

Sudden realization

Interpretive Fiction

A story in a serious tone an designed to “interpret” or make reader more aware of some aspect of reality

Suspense

Feelings of anxiety and uncertainty created by the author about the outcomes of events in stories

Cacophony/ Dissonance

harsh, discordant sounds that create a jarring effect

Euphony

Smooth musical sounds that create a pleasant and agreeable affect

Didactic

Reflective poetry to teach the reader something

What are different patterns in poetry?

Couplet: 2 rhyming lines

Tercet: 3 line stanza

Quatrain: 4 line stanza

Sestet: 6 line stanza

Octet: 8 line stanza

Stanza

Paragraph in a poem (like a collection of lines)

Lineation

Purposeful placement of lines/endings/white space on the page

Concrete (Shape)

Poem written in a special shape that suggests the poems subject

Epigram

Brief and concise statement that is ingenious in thought