Literary Terms:Review

Plot

The events of the story.There are six (6) elements of plot:

Introduction/Exposition Inciting EventRising ActionClimaxFalling ActionConclusion/Resolution (Denouement)

Setting

The time and place in which a story is set.

Mood/Atmosphere

Describes the feeling that a story expresses. This is often an adjective (Ex. Gloomy, dark, happy, etc.)

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues of what is about to happen later in the story.

Symbol

A concrete object that represents an idea.

Imagery

Vivid description of the setting or characters, usually done with figurative language.

CharacterizationRefers to the development of the characters in the

story:There are two (2) types.

Flat/Static : A character in a story that only has one or two traits, and who does not evolve (change/develop) throughout the story.

Multi-dimensional/Dynamic: A character in a story that has many different traits, and who goes through some type of change or evolution by the end.

Theme

The overall message of the story.

The theme is never described as just one word.

Conflict

The tension between two opposing forces. There are four main types of conflict:

Person vs. Person Person vs. Self Person vs. Nature/Environment Person vs. Society/Technology

Irony

When the opposite of what is expected occurs. Often used for comic effect.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience or reader knows something that the characters do not.