Semester 2 Exam Review

allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

round characterization

a fully developed character whose many personality traits are revealed

flat characterization

a one sided character who is simply described

static characterization

Character that stays the same, never changing

dynamic characterization

a character who changes throughout the course of a work

protagonist

main character

antagonist

A character or force in conflict with the main character

foil

A character who acts as a contrast to another character

cliffhangers

A suspenseful situation occurring at the end of a chapter, scene, or episode

closed endings

Resolves the conflict and brings a conclusive end to plot

comedy

A humorous work of drama

tragedy

A serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character

diction

A writer's or speaker's choice of words

fable

A brief story that leads to a moral, often using animals as characters

flashback

a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story.

flash foward

The interrupting of the present with shots and actions from the future

foreshadowing

A narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader.

hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

imagery

Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

mataphor

a comparison of two different things not using like or as

naturalism

a style and theory of representation based on the accurate depiction of detail.

onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the sound it represents.

open endings

Leaves the conflict partially or entirely unresolved and the plot without a definite conclusion

verbal irony

A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant

dramatic irony

when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't

situational irony

An outcome that turns out to be very different from what was expected

paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

personification

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes

exposition

a comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory.

complication

an undesired problem that is the result of some other event

crisis

A sudden, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous event requiring the president to play the role of crisis manager.

climax

Most exciting moment of the story; turning point

resolution

End of the story where loose ends are tied up

conflict

A struggle between opposing forces

dilemma

a difficult or perplexing situation or problem

doubt

to not believe

tension

pressure

first person

"I" and "Me" standpoint. Personal perspective.

third person omniscient

the narrator knows all of the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in a work

third person limited

Narrator sees the world through only one characters eyes and thoughts.

third person objective

The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can't tell us the thoughts of the characters.

realism

a way of portraying or thinking about reality

regionlism

represent the speech, manners, habits, folklore, and beliefs of people in specific geographical areas. (of us at the time)

satire

A literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.

sentimentalism

the excessive expression of feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia in behavior, writing, or speech.

setting

The time and place of a story

mood

Feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader

atmosphere

the tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art

simile

A comparison using "like" or "as"

suprise endings

End strongly with an unexpected ending

suspense

a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.

symbolism

A device in literature where an object represents an idea.

theme

Central idea of a work of literature

time lapse

Occurs when the story skips a period of time that seems unusual compared to the rest of the plot

tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

tragic flaw

A weakness or limitation of character, resulting in the fall of the tragic hero.