English midterm

plot

the sequence of events that make up the story

theme

universal idea, lesson, or message explored through literature

tone

authors attitude towards the subject

symbolism

an object, person, place, or action that represents an idea other than the object itself

characterization

process by which an author reveals the personality of a character; how an author makes a fictional character seem real

setting

time and place of the story

point of view

perspective of the story

short story

a short concentrated tale that can be read in one sitting that leaves the reader with a single powerful impression -edgar allen poe

exposition

introduced to characters, setting, and situation

rising action

where tension is built through conflicts and suspense

inciting incident

event that starts the rising action

internal conflict

the struggle occurring within a characters mind

external conflict

a struggle that occurs between a character and the outside force

central conflict

the main problem that has to be overcome

climax

the moment where all tension is released and the central conflict is resolved

OR

the point of no return everything falls apart (ex romeo and juliet)

falling action

the moment immediately following the climax things begin to return to a new normal

resolution

the conclusion of the story all problem resolved

direct characterization

an author directly explains a characters personality; lists characters traits

indirect characterization

an author reveals a characters personality through the characters words, thoughts,actions, and comments about them from other characters

connotation

the implied meaning of a word

denotation

the actual meaning of a word

3rd person limited

sticks closely to one character in the story

3rd person omniscient

what ,any characters in the story are thinking and feeling

first person

I, me, my

simile

a direct/explicit comparison of 2 unlike things using “like or as”

allusion

a casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure

explicit metaphor

a comparison of 2 unlike objects by directly stating an object IS the other

implicit metaphor

a comparison of 2 unlike things implying one is the other

allegory

a story meant to be read entirely on a symbolic level

empathy

ability to understand and share the feeling of another

diction

authors word choice

syntax

the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language

dramatic irony

audience knows truth, but characters do not

situational irony

discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens

verbal irony

one thing is said, but the opposite is meant

catharsis

a release

epiphany

a moment of sudden realization or understanding

existential crisis

a form of inner conflict

character foil

a character that contrasts another character

suspense

a moment of excitement or uncertainty

foreshadowing

a literary device that indicates what will happen later in the story

myth

a story that represents people’s deepest feelings and experiences

monomyth

reflects the single, essential, most inclusive pattern of human experience. (Transformation of consciousness)

hero

best expresses the archetypal adventurer in his journey through life and beyond

irony

a literary device that uses contradictory statements or situations to reveal reality different from what appears to be true