Elements of a Novel
the time and lace of a narrative
SETTING
Any writing that is invented, imagines, or untrue
Fiction
Writing or speaking that tells about a series of related events
narration
"Hope no longer hid in the dark palmetto thicket but perched like a cardinal in the lacy toothbrush tree, brilliantly visible."
simile
A situation in which there is a great difference between the purpose of a specific action and its result.
situational irony
The relationship of the author to the narrative
point of view
Prose narrative that tells about actual events or presents factual information
nonfiction
Type of writing that is aimed at convincing the reader to think or act in a certain way
persuasion
"Ther is within me ...a knot of cruelty borne by the stream of love, much as our blood sometimes bears the seed of our destruction..."
metaphor
A technique used that gives hints which help the reader predict the outcome of a situation or narration.
foreshadowing
The main character takes some action to resolve the conflict and meets with more problems
falling action
A narrative that depicts serious and important events in which the main character comes to an unhappy end.
tragedy
Type of writing intended to create a mood or emotion, or to recreate a person, place, thing, event, or experience.
description
"Ten thousand saw I at a glance, tossing their heads in sprightly dance."
personification
The technique used in narration and screenplays in which a scene is depicted which happened before the current action in the narration
flashback
This is the outcome of the conflict
resolution
Written or spoken language that is not poetry
prose
Type of writing that explains, informs, defines, or clarifies an idea.
exposition
"My teacher is so old that she taught cavemen how to start a fire."
hyperbole
The manner in which the author reveals his characters and their various personalities (through the character's actions, his words, or his resolution).
characterization
The main idea or meaning of a work of literature
theme
Unwritten stories of a certain culture passed down from generation to generation
folk literature
writing technique used most in poetry
description
Lanuage that evokes the senses
imagery
the main character and the opposing character
protagonist and antagonist