Narrative Nonfiction Terms

allusion

an implied or indirect reference to a well-known person, event, or thing or to a part of another text

characterization

the act of creating and describing characters in literature

conflict

a struggle between two opposing forces

connotation

an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning

denotation

the dictionary definition of a word

dialogue

conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or movie

diction

an author’s choice of words and phrases to use in speech or writing

figurative language

a form of expression that uses nonliteral meanings to convey a more abstract meaning or message. There are many types, including: similes, metaphors, idioms, hyperboles, and personification

imagery

the use of the 5 senses to create pictures in the mind of the reader

irony

 a contrast between expectation and reality

situational irony

when the opposite of what is expected happens; an unexpected twist in the plot

verbal irony

when a character says one thing but means the opposite

dramatic irony

 when the audience knows something that characters do not

monologue

 a speech given by a single character

mood

the feeling created in the audience; the atmosphere of the story created by the setting and descriptions

nonfiction

literature based on the author's real-life experiences, research, or expertise, as opposed to only the creativity of the author's imagination

plot

The sequence of events that tell the story

point of view

the perspective from which a story is told, determining the narrator's relationship to the events and characters

setting

the time and place in which a story occurs.

tone

the attitude of the author toward the audience or subject matter

turning point

the point in a story at which the main character undergoes a significant change

voice

the unique style, personality or perspective of a piece of writing

first-person point of view

the narrator is a character in the story

second-person point of view

the story is told from the perspective of "you," the reader or listener. It directly addresses the audience and involves them in the narrative.

third-person limited point of view

the narrator uses third-person pronouns (he, she, they) to refer to the characters, but only reveals the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the focal character

third-person omniscient point of view

a narrative perspective that provides an all-knowing and objective view. The narrator can access the thoughts, feelings, and actions of multiple characters