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.)