theme
the main idea or message of a story, poem, novel, or play often expressed as a general statement about life
plot
the sequence of events or actions in a narrative work
exposition
1: information essential to understanding the situation is introduced
inciting incident
2: the event or decision that begins a story's problem
rising action
3: the action rises to the moment of crises
climax
4: the point of greatest intensity, interest, or suspense
falling action
5: after the climax, there is a reversal of fortune for the protagonist
resolution
6: the moment when the conflict ends and the outcome is clear
first person pov:
the story is told by one of the characters in his/her own words
third person omniscient:
The narrator is not in the story, this "all-knowing" observer can describe and comment on all the characters in the story
third person limited
the narrator is not a character in the story, rather than telling the story from each characters vantage point, this "limited" narrator tells the story from the viewpoint of only one character
setting
the time and place in which events in a literary work occur
protagonist
the central character in a literary work, around whom the main conflict revolves
antagonist
a person or force in society or nature that opposes the protagonist, or central character
round character
a character who shows varied and sometimes contradictory traits
flat character
a character who reveals only one personality trait
dynamic character
this character undergoes a change during the story
static character
this character remains the same throughout the story
direct characterization
the author clearly tells the reader what we need to know about a character
indirect characterization
when the reader must use hints to understand a character
The narrator's description of a character, characters thoughts, characters actions, characters speech, other characters thoughts, comments, and actions
indirect characterization techniques
conflict
a struggle between two opposing forces or characters
internal conflict
takes place within the mind of the character
external conflict
takes place between the character and an outside force
person vs person, person vs society, person vs nature, person vs machine, person vs self
outside forces of external conflict
flashback
an interruption in the chronological order of a narrative to describe an event that happened earlier. gives information that may help explai the main events of the story
foreshadowing
an author's use of hints or clue to prepare readers for events that will happen later in the story
irony
the contrast between appearance and actuality, or between expectation and reality
situational irony
when something happens that is entirely different than expected
verbal irony
a writer/character says one thing, but means something entirely different
dramatic irony
the reader or audience understands meanings that one or more characters do not
symbol
any person, animals, place, object, or event that exists on a literal level within a work but also represents something on a figurative level
character
an individual in a literary work
characterization
the techniques employed by writers to develop characters
point of view
the vantage point from which a narrative is told
mood
the emotional quality of a literary work
tone
the attitude that a writer takes towards his or her subject
myths
Roots in primitive folk beliefs or ancient rites and ceremonies
myths
Supernatural episodes interpret natural events
Creation of universe, world, man
Death and life
Natural phenomena – day and night, seasonal rotations, storms, etc.
Adventures of racial/cultural heroes
characteristics of myths
stereotyped epithets
like nicknames based on important identifiable qualities – ‘gray-eyed Athena’ ‘wily Odysseus’ ‘earth shaker’
in medias res
adds suspense by beginning the action in the middle of the chronological story.
invocation to the muse
prayers to the muse to inspire a good story
epic simile
long comparison of actions and processes usually derived from nature
the hero is of great cultural significance
the setting is vast – nations, world, universe
deeds require great courage and strength
supernatural forces – gods, angels, demons, monsters take part in the action and are interested in the outcome
they storytelling is elevated, grand, formal
the storyteller (poet) is objective.
Qualities of an Epic
of high rank, strong, courageous, clever, cunning
the hero’s qualities represent those valuable to his society
the hero struggles to overcome human character flaws
he faces supernatural forces
the story takes places over large, vast areas and locations
the story is told in a formal and grand style
the epic hero WINS!
Qualities of an epic hero