Elements of Story and Literary Devices

Flashcards covering elements of story and literary devices from lecture notes.

Plot Structure

The sequence of events in a story, typically involving exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Narrative Structure

The way a story is narrated, which can be linear or non-linear, and includes elements like point of view (first-person, third-person, omniscient).

Characterization

The development of characters through direct (explicit) descriptions or indirect (implied) actions and dialogue.

Internal Conflict

A struggle within a character's own mind or emotions.

External Conflict

A struggle between a character and outside forces, such as another character, society, or nature.

Theme

The central message or idea explored in a story.

Mood

The overall atmosphere or feeling created in a story, such as tense, eerie, or somber.

Tone

The author's or character's attitude or perspective, such as sarcastic or reflective.

Symbolism

The use of objects to represent ideas or concepts.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues suggesting future events in a story.

Comic Relief

The inclusion of humor in serious scenes to provide relief.

Sublime

A feeling of awe mixed with terror or grandeur.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create vivid images.

Pathetic Fallacy

Attributing human feelings or emotions to nature.

Paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth.

Irony

A situation where the audience knows more than the characters (dramatic), or an unexpected twist of events (situational), or saying the opposite of what is meant (verbal).

Metaphor

An implied comparison between two unlike things.

Simile

A direct comparison using 'like' or 'as'.

Pun

A play on words that exploits different meanings of a word or similar-sounding words.

Oxymoron

A combination of contradictory terms.