Literary Elements
The main character in a story, often a good heroic type.
What is a Protagonist?
The part of the story usually near the beginning, in which the characters are introduced, the background is explained, and the setting is described.
What is the Exposition?
The message about life or human nature that is the "focus" in the story that the writer tells. It is the universal life lesson or moral of the story.
What is the theme?
The author reveals directly through a narrator
What is direct characterization?
Occurs when words are used to suggest the opposite of their usual meaning
What is Verbal Irony?
The person or force that works against the hero of the story.
What is an Antagonist?
The central part of the story during which various problems arise after a conflict is introduced.
What is a Rising Action?
The ATTITUDE that a writer takes toward his/her subject, characters, and audience.
What is the Tone?
A comparison of two things using "like" or "as"
What is a simile?
Occurs when an event directly contradicts what is expected
What is Situational Irony?
A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in a story
What is conflict?
The high point in the action of a story reveals how the conflict will turn out.
What is the climax?
The repetition of initial consonant sounds used to emphasize and link words and to create pleasing, musical sounds.
Example: She sells sea shells by the sea shore.
What is Alliteration?
A comparison of two things - essentially different but with some commonalities - but does not use "like" or "as"
What is a metaphor?
Occurs when the audience or reader knows something a character does not know
The conversation that characters have with one another.
What is dialogue?
The action and dialogue following the climax that lead the reader into the story's end.
What is a Falling Action?
A reference to a well known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art to enrich the reading experience by adding meaning.
What is Allusion?
An exaggeration for emphasis or humor - stretching the truth
What is a hyperbole?
POV: The narrator tells only what one character perceives
What is third person limited?
The FEELING a piece of literature is intended to create in a reader.
What is the Mood?
The part of the story in which the problems are solved and the action comes to a satisfying end.
What is the Resolution?
Character's words and actions, Character's looks and clothing, Character's thoughts and feelings, what others say about the character, how others react to the character
What is Indirect Characterization?
Providing humanlike characteristics to animals, objects, or ideas
What is Personification?
The narrator can see into the minds of all characters
What is third person omniscient?