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Devices
Characters
P.O.V.
Narrative Structure
Elements
100
A specific piece of a literary work that makes up or adds to a larger picture or story.
detail
100
a leading character or one of the major characters
protagonist
100
the perspective from which a writer tells a story.
Point of View
100
the feeling or atmosphere a reader senses while reading a piece of literature.
Mood
100
The physical and social context in which the action of a story occurs. The major elements of setting are the time, the place, and the social environment that frames the characters.
Setting
200
A social or regional variety of a particular language.
dialect
200
a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something
antagonist
200
narrator or one of characters tells the story using "I."
First person
200
the sequence of actions or events in a story.
Plot
200
The voice used by an author to tell a story or speak a poem. The speaker is often a created identity, and should not automatically be equated with the author’s self.
Speaker
300
the method an author uses to develop characters' personalities or motives through the use of dialogue and descriptions of their thoughts, appearance, emotions, and actions.
Characterization
300
a character whose traits are in direct contrast to those of the principal character.
foil
300
a narrator or someone outside the story is telling it using " he, she, or them. "
Third person
300
the highest point of tension in the plot.
Climax
300
A central meaning in the work which provides a unifying point around which the plot, characters, setting, point of view, symbols, and other elements of a work are organized. It is important not to mistake the theme for the actual subject of the work; the theme refers to the abstract concept that is made concrete through the images, characterization, and action of the text. It is a statement about life or human nature that the author conveys to the reader, i.e., Be careful about what you wish for. . . .
Theme
400
a break in a story's action that returns the reader to a previous event.
Flashback
400
one who is not fully developed;we know only one side of the character
flat character
400
an all-knowing narrator who is not a character in the story and who can report the thoughts and feelings of the characters, as well as their words and actions. (See also limited omniscience and neutral omniscience.)
Omniscient narrator
400
a problem that confronts the characters in a piece of literature. Internal--character struggles within himself or herself External--character struggles against nature, another person, or society Common conflict types: man or woman against nature--against self--against society--against man or woman--against technology
Conflict
400
the author’s attitude toward the subject (serious, sarcastic, objective, compassionate) which readers may infer from the language, imagery, and structure.
Tone
500
the words and phrases used in writing that appeal to the senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. (Don’t just say “these images paint a picture in my mind. . . .”—far too generic!)
Imagery
500
one who undergoes change in response to events in the story
dynamic character
500
the unraveling of the plot following the climax.
Falling Action