English Exam Review – Literary Devices & Short-Story Elements

Exam Structure

  • Format

    • First section: 30 multiple-choice questions

    • Questions drawn from every concept covered in class, but heavily weighted toward literary devices and short-story elements

    • Examples will come from:

    • Previous quizzes ("ThatQuiz" set)

    • Class novels (e.g., The Hidden Gifts)

    • Class play (e.g., The Merchant of Venice)

Core Study Areas

  • Literary devices (be able to identify from an example; no definitions provided on the exam)

  • Elements of a short story (know both graph placement & formal definition)

  • Types of conflict (internal vs.
    external + sub-categories)

  • Additional narrative components: theme, setting, atmosphere, mood, tone, characterization, style

Literary Devices

  • Required list comes from the original "ThatQuiz" review; know them all.

  • Expect to see one-line examples and choose the correct device (e.g., metaphor, simile, hyperbole, oxymoron, etc.).

  • Teacher will not supply definitions — mastery must be independent.

Sample approach to prepare

  1. Create flashcards with definition on one side & at least two original examples on the other.

  2. Test yourself by looking only at an example and naming the device within 3–5 seconds.

Elements of a Short Story (Plot Graph)

  • Plot Graph Sections (be able to place and define):

    1. Exposition / Introduction
      – Introduces setting, main characters, & background conflict

    2. Rising Action
      – Complications build tension

    3. Climax
      – \text{Most exciting / turning point of the story}

    4. Falling Action
      – Consequences of climax unfold

    5. Resolution / Conclusion (often called denouement)
      – Conflict fully resolved; loose ends tied up

Potential MC examples

  • "The most exciting part of the story is…" → Climax

  • "Another term for the introduction is…" → Exposition

Complete List of Short-Story Elements to Review

  1. Plot

  2. Atmosphere

  3. Character & Characterization

  4. Conflict (internal & external)

  5. Theme

  6. Setting

  7. Style (plus Mood & Tone)

For the exam you may see a quotation or summary and must decide which single element it best illustrates.

Conflict: Internal vs. External

  • Internal Conflict (Person vs. Self)

    • Example: “Star struggles with inner emotions” → internal conflict.

  • External Conflict

    • Person vs. Person

    • Person vs. Society

    • Person vs. Nature / Environment

    • Person vs. Technology / Machine

    • Person vs. Supernatural / Fate

    • Example: “Star confronts societal expectations” → Person vs. Society (external)

Be able to:

  • Identify how many internal vs.
    external categories exist (1 internal; 5+ external depending on breakdown used in class)

  • Label a passage quickly: first state internal/external, then specify type.

Themes & Other Narrative Components

  • Theme = central message or insight (e.g., The Stolen Party → social class disparity)

  • Setting = time, place, social context

  • Atmosphere = overall emotional feeling a reader experiences (often created through setting & diction)

  • Mood vs. Tone

    • Mood: feeling evoked in reader

    • Tone: author’s / narrator’s attitude

  • Style = distinct manner of expression (syntax, diction, figurative language choices)

  • Characterization (direct & indirect) = how the writer reveals character traits.

Class-Based Examples Mentioned

  • The Merchant of Venice: acts of discrimination & prejudice → illustrates a dominant theme.

  • The Hidden Gifts: multiple layers of conflict (internal & person vs.
    society) through protagonist Star.

Study Tips

  1. Start with literary-device mastery; they account for a large block of MC questions.

  2. Redraw a blank plot graph and fill it from memory (include labels + definitions).

  3. Construct a T-chart:

    • Column A: internal vs.
      external conflict

    • Column B: specific class texts as examples.

  4. Review class-annotated short stories/novel chapters—highlight passages demonstrating theme, atmosphere, etc.

  5. Complete old “ThatQuiz” sets under timed conditions to simulate exam pace.

  6. Explain concepts aloud to a peer; if you can teach it succinctly, you know it.

Administrative Note (FYI only)

  • Grade 11/12 students needing marks sent to OCAS/OUAC must scan a QR code in the main office by end of day.
    (Not directly related to exam content but was in the announcement.)