Literary Terms: Prose & Poetry Analysis for Students

FIRST PERSON

The narrator is a character in the story; told with 'I' and 'me', etc.

THIRD PERSON OBJECTIVE

The narrator is not a character in the story; reports only what can be seen and heard.

THIRD PERSON LIMITED OMNISCIENT

The narrator is not a character in the story; reports one character's thoughts and feelings.

THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT

The narrator is not a character in the story; reports multiple characters' thoughts and feelings.

PLOT

The carefully constructed series of events in a narrative.

PLOTLESS SHORT STORY

Describes characters in a situation without the development of the conflict or resolution.

IN MEDIA RES

A narrative that begins somewhere in the middle, usually at some crucial point in the plot.

FRAME STORY

A large, overarching story that contains smaller stories within it.

CONFLICT

The interplay between opposing elements. Three types: protagonist vs. self (internal struggle), protagonist vs. others (external struggle with people, society, etc.), protagonist vs. environment (external struggle with nature).

SETTING

The time and place of events in a literary work. Three functions: to help in understanding of the characters and their actions, to help create mood and atmosphere, to facilitate plot development by being involved in the conflict.

FORESHADOWING

A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story—useful for creating suspense, a feeling of unease, a sense of curiosity, or a mark that things may not be as they seem.

FLASHBACK

An interruption in a text's 'present' chronological sequence to show readers a scene that unfolded in the past.

EXPOSITION

Gives background information on the characters, setting, and other events necessary for understanding the story; introduces conflict.

COMPLICATION

A situation that makes a plot's main thread more complex or difficult; develops conflict and creates suspense.

TECHNICAL CLIMAX

The turning point in the plot at which the outcome is determined. Often, the protagonist changes or has an opportunity to change at this point; after this point, the conflict begins to come to an end.

DRAMATIC CLIMAX

The point of greatest interest or intensity of the story; this is subjective and may not be the same as the technical climax.

RESOLUTION

The events following the technical climax in which the outcome is actually worked out; works out the decision that was arrived at during the technical climax.

CONCLUSION

The final event of a story's plot.

SITUATIONAL IRONY

When something happens that is opposite of expectations.

VERBAL IRONY

A statement which is opposite of the speaker's intent.

DRAMATIC IRONY

A situation in which the reader has a better understanding of events than the characters in a story do.

CHARACTERIZATION

The technique a writer uses to create and reveal characters in a work of fiction.

EXPOSITORY CHARACTER REVELATION

Telling what a character is like in a straightforward manner.

DRAMATIC CHARACTER REVELATION

Showing what a character is like through descriptions of thought, dialogue, action, etc.

MOTIVATION

The reason that explains a character's thoughts, feelings, actions, or speech.

PROTAGONIST

The central character in a work of fiction; the character who sets the action of the plot in motion.

Antagonist

The principal opponent of the protagonist.

Foil Character

A character who contrasts in some important way with a more important character; underscores the distinctive characteristics of another.

Stock Character

A character that relies on common literary or social stereotypes for personality; often used as simple props to help develop the main characters or story.

Round Character

A character who is well described and whose thoughts and actions are clearly revealed in a story.

Flat Character

A character who is not well developed in a story.

Dynamic Character

A character who grows, learns or changes in some significant way throughout the story.

Static Character

A character who resists change or refuses to change during the story.

Tone

The author's or speaker's attitude toward the characters, events or audience; created with diction, figurative language, characterization, plot, and theme.

Positive Tone Words

Words that convey an admiring, affectionate, or optimistic attitude, such as: Admiring, Adoring, Affectionate, Approving, Calm, Celebratory, Cheerful, Comforting, Comic, Confident, Delightful, Ecstatic, Empathetic, Encouraging, Excited, Exhilarated, Friendly, Happy, Hilarious, Hopeful, Humorous, Interested, Joyful, Light, Lively, Nostalgic, Optimistic, Passionate, Playful, Proud, Reassuring, Relaxed, Respectful, Romantic, Scholarly, Self-assured, Sentimental, Sympathetic, Tender.

Negative Tone Words

Words that convey an angry, anxious, or pessimistic attitude, such as: Angry, Annoyed, Anxious, Apprehensive, Belligerent, Bitter, Blunt, Cold, Condescending, Confused, Critical, Depressed, Desolate, Despairing, Detached, Disrespectful, Doubtful, Embarrassed, Fearful, Forceful, Frightened, Frustrated, Gloomy, Grave, Grim, Harsh, Hostile, Indifferent, Mocking, Mournful, Outraged, Paranoid, Pessimistic, Sarcastic, Serious, Skeptical, Suspicious, Tense, Threatening, Tragic, Uncertain, Unsympathetic.

Atmosphere

A story's general feeling; usually established by the setting's description.

Positive Atmosphere Words

Words that convey a cheerful or optimistic feeling, such as: Blithe, Cheerful, Comforting, Confident, Dignified, Ebullient, Ecstatic, Enlightened, Harmonious, Hopeful, Idyllic, Inclusive, Joyous, Liberating, Light-hearted, Nostalgic, Optimistic, Peaceful, Placid, Playful, Poignant, Serene, Sympathetic, Tender, Tranquil, Warm, Welcoming.

Negative Atmosphere Words

Words that convey a gloomy or foreboding feeling, such as: Alarming, Barren, Benevolent, Cold, Confining, Confused, Desolate, Diabolic, Foreboding, Garish, Gloomy, Grim, Haunting, Hopeless, Hostile, Insidious, Lonely, Merciless, Nightmarish, Painful, Pessimistic, Scary, Tense, Terrifying, Threatening, Uncanny, Uneasy, Violent.

Mood

The reader's state of mind and emotions while reading a text.

Positive Mood Words

Amused, Calm, Cheerful, Chipper, Confident, Content, Determined, Dreamy, Ecstatic, Empowered, Energetic, Enlightened, Enthralled, Excited, Exhilarated, Giddy, Grateful, Harmonious, Light-hearted, Loving, Nostalgic, Optimistic, Passionate, Peaceful, Playful, Pleased, Refreshed, Rejuvenated, Relaxed, Relieved, Satisfied, Sentimental, Silly, Surprised, Sympathetic, Thankful, Thoughtful

Negative Mood Words

Aggravated, Annoyed, Anxious, Apprehensive, Cold, Confused, Cranky, Crushed, Depressed, Disappointed, Discontented, Distressed, Drained, Dreary, Embarrassed, Enraged, Envious, Exhausted, Fatalistic, Intimidated, Irate, Jealous, Lethargic, Lonely, Nauseated, Nervous, Numb, Overwhelmed, Painful, Pessimistic, Predatory, Rejected, Restless, Scared, Serious, Sick, Stressed

Diction

The choice of words and phrases in speech or writing

Words to Describe Diction

Artificial, Bombastic, Moralistic, Colloquial (slang), Obscure, Concrete, Obtuse, Connotative, Ordinary, Cultured, Pedantic, Bookish, Detached, Plain, Clear, Emotional, Poetic, Lyric, Esoteric, Precise, Euphemistic, Insincere, Pretentious, Exact, Provincial, Figurative, Scholarly, Formal, Sensuous, Grotesque, Simple, Homespun, Idiomatic, Peculiar, Symbolic, Insipid, Trite, Learned, Vulgar

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences

Words to Describe Syntax

Inverted, Convoluted, Interrogative, Declarative, Exclamatory, Imperative, Logical, Repetitive, Stream-of-conscious, Elaborate, Organized, Loose, Rambling, Spare, Obfuscating, Colloquial, Compound, Complex, Anaphoric

Theme

The controlling idea of a literary work that is a general truth or commentary about life, people, and the world that is brought out in a story

Theme Guidelines

Complete declarative sentence; a general truth about life, not just about the story or characters; clearly brought out throughout the entire work, not just part of it; does not include second person ('you'/'your'); not a command; not necessarily a moral lesson.

Creating a Theme Statement

1. What is the text's big idea? Focus on a big abstract noun. 2. What is the author telling us about this big idea? The answer is your theme statement!

Example of Theme Statement

Dorothy Goodkind's Romantic poem 'Felicity' reveals that love can be frustrating.

Beauty

A quality that pleases the senses or mind aesthetically.

Betrayal

The act of being disloyal or unfaithful.

Bravery

The quality of being courageous.

Capitalism

An economic system where trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

Change

The act or instance of making or becoming different.

Circle of life

The natural process of birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

Coming of age

A transition from childhood to adulthood.

Communication

The imparting or exchanging of information.

Companionship

The state of being with someone.

Convention

A way in which something is usually done.

Corruption

Dishonest or unethical conduct by those in power.

Death

The end of life.

Disillusionment

A feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed.

Empowerment

The process of becoming stronger and more confident.

Faith

Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

Family

A group of individuals related by blood or marriage.

Fate

The development of events beyond a person's control.

Free Will

The ability to make choices unconstrained by external factors.

Gender Roles

Social and behavioral norms that dictate how individuals should act based on their gender.

Greed

Intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth.

Growing Up

The process of becoming an adult.

Heroism

Great bravery.

Honor

High respect or esteem.

Hope

A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Identity

The qualities, beliefs, personality, looks, and expressions that make a person or group.

Illusions

Things that are not as they seem; deceptive appearances.

Immortality

The ability to live forever.

Individuality

The quality or character of a particular person or thing.

Injustice

Lack of fairness or justice.

Innocence

Lack of guile or corruption; purity.

Isolation

The state of being separated from others.

Knowledge

Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education.

Loneliness

The state of being alone and feeling sad about it.

Love

An intense feeling of deep affection.

Manipulation

The action of controlling or influencing someone in a clever or unscrupulous way.

Materialism

A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.

Mercy

Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish.

Nationalism

Patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts.

Nature

The phenomena of the physical world collectively.

Oppression

Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment.

Optimism

Hopefulness and confidence about the future.

Patriotism

Devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.

Power

The ability or capacity to do something or act in a certain way.

Progress

Forward or onward movement toward a destination.

Racism

Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race.

Rebirth

The process of being reincarnated or born again.

Religion

A system of faith and worship.

Reunion

An instance of two or more people coming together again after a period of separation.

Sacrifice

Giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important.

Self-Preservation

The instinct to act in ways that ensure one's survival.