Basic Literary TermsBasic Literary Terms

SettingSetting

Setting is the time and place of the story.Setting is the time and place of the story. TimeTime

A. Real (Clock)A. Real (Clock)

B. HistoricalB. Historical PlacePlace

A. RealA. Real

B. ImaginaryB. Imaginary

C. Science fictionC. Science fiction

PlotPlot Plot is what happens in a narrative or the Plot is what happens in a narrative or the

sequence of events.sequence of events. Parts of the plot:Parts of the plot:

1.Exposition or Introduction- setting is established, 1.Exposition or Introduction- setting is established, characters are introduced, & background information is characters are introduced, & background information is givengiven

2. Conflict or problem- struggle between opposing forces2. Conflict or problem- struggle between opposing forces3. Rising action- the events that lead to the climax; the 3. Rising action- the events that lead to the climax; the

conflict buildsconflict builds4. Climax- the turning point or change in the main character4. Climax- the turning point or change in the main character5. Falling action- events that lead to the resolution of the 5. Falling action- events that lead to the resolution of the

conflictconflict6. Denouement- the ending; the conflict is resolved6. Denouement- the ending; the conflict is resolved

Types of ConflictTypes of Conflict

Man vs ManMan vs Man Man vs SocietyMan vs Society Man vs NatureMan vs Nature Man vs HimselfMan vs Himself Man vs FateMan vs Fate Man vs Machine/TechnologyMan vs Machine/Technology

Kinds of ConflictKinds of Conflict

Internal conflict- conflict within Internal conflict- conflict within the mind of a characterthe mind of a character

External conflict- character External conflict- character struggles against some outside struggles against some outside forceforce

Point of viewPoint of view 11stst person major character – person major character – the the

main character is the narratormain character is the narrator 11stst person minor character – person minor character – a a

minor character is the narratorminor character is the narrator 33rdrd person omniscient – person omniscient – written in 3written in 3rdrd

person by a “god-like” narrator who sees person by a “god-like” narrator who sees all & hears allall & hears all

33rdrd person limited – person limited – written in 3written in 3rdrd person but limited to a narrowed person but limited to a narrowed perspective perspective

Point of ViewPoint of View 33rdrd Person Observer- written in 3 Person Observer- written in 3rdrd

person and the narrator only tells the person and the narrator only tells the actions of the characters actions of the characters

Personal PronounsPersonal Pronouns11stst person- I, we, me, us, my, mine, person- I, we, me, us, my, mine,

ourour22ndnd person- you, your, yours person- you, your, yours33rdrd person- he, she, it, his, her, hers, person- he, she, it, his, her, hers,

its, their, theirsits, their, theirs

Literary DevicesLiterary Devices

Flashback- an interruption in the Flashback- an interruption in the sequence of a story to describe an sequence of a story to describe an event that happened in the pastevent that happened in the past

Foreshadowing- giving hints about Foreshadowing- giving hints about events that have not yet happened in events that have not yet happened in a storya story

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

MetaphorMetaphor

A comparison of two dissimilar things.A comparison of two dissimilar things.

Ex. Fred is a pig when he eats.Ex. Fred is a pig when he eats. SimileSimile

A comparison of two dissimilar things A comparison of two dissimilar things using “like” or “as”.using “like” or “as”.

Ex. Fred eats like a pig.Ex. Fred eats like a pig.

PersonificationPersonification

When human characteristics are When human characteristics are given to inanimate objects.given to inanimate objects.

Ex. The daffodils nodded their golden Ex. The daffodils nodded their golden heads.heads.

The wind tore at the building and The wind tore at the building and laughed at the damage.laughed at the damage.

HyperboleHyperbole

An exaggeration made for effect.An exaggeration made for effect.

Ex. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.Ex. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

SymbolismSymbolism

A symbol is a concrete object that A symbol is a concrete object that stands for something other than itself.stands for something other than itself.

Ex. The eagle is a symbol of freedom.Ex. The eagle is a symbol of freedom.

Red on the American flag Red on the American flag represents the blood sacrificed to keep represents the blood sacrificed to keep us free.us free.

A lamp many times represents the A lamp many times represents the light of knowledge.light of knowledge.

A lion symbolizes courage.A lion symbolizes courage.

Sound DevicesSound Devices OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

A word that means a sound, and A word that means a sound, and when pronounced, mimics the sound.when pronounced, mimics the sound.

Ex. hiss, splash, bang, sizzleEx. hiss, splash, bang, sizzle AlliterationAlliteration

Repetition of consonants at the Repetition of consonants at the beginning of words.beginning of words.

Ex. Little Ex. Little BBoy oy BBlue come lue come bblow your low your horn.horn.