Literary elements

Literary Terminology

WOCMs. Marconi

2011-12

Characterization

Protagonist: The main character

Characterization

Antagonist: The main character’s foe

Characterization

Character Foils: Two characters withopposite

personalities.

CharacterizationStatic Character: A character who does not grow or learn or change.

Billy Bob

CharacterizationDynamic Character: A character who grows or learns or changes.

Billy Bob

CharacterizationFlat Character: A character who is not really described or developed by the author

CharacterizationRound Character: A character who is described or developed by the author.

Plot StructurePlot Diagram:

Narrative OrderChronological Order: Events told in time order.

Narrative OrderFlashback: Story is set in present time, but will jump to the past.

Narrative OrderTime Lapse: Story is set in present time, but will jump to the future.

ConflictsInternal Conflict: PERSON vs. SELFWhen a character struggles with a personal trait or characteristic.

ConflictsExternal Conflict: PERSON vs. PERSONWhen a character struggles with another character in the story.

ConflictsExternal Conflict: PERSON vs. SOCIETYWhen a character struggles with established laws / norms.

Occupy W

all Stre

et

Occupy Chicago

Occupy D.C.

ConflictsExternal Conflict: PERSON vs. NATUREWhen a character struggles with the environment or natural elements

SuspenseTension in the story that keeps the audience interested in the story.

ForeshadowingClues about what will happen later on in the story.

Plot Structure

SettingInformation about where and when a story takes place.

ThemeThe author’s larger message about life. IE: Money is the root of all evil.

StyleImagery: Details included to help the audience better imagine what the writer envisions.

Style: Figurative LanguagePersonification: When non-human items are given human characteristics.

Style: Figurative LanguageThe leaves danced off of the tree’s limbs.

Style: Figurative LanguageSimile: A comparison that uses “like” or “as”

Style: Figurative Language

“Life is LIKE a box of

chocolates.”

Style: Figurative LanguageMetaphor: A comparison that does not use “like” or “as”

Style: Figurative Language

“Life IS a box of chocolates.”

Style: Devices of SoundOnomatopoeia: When a word sounds like what it is or does.

Style: Devices of Sound

Style: Devices of SoundAlliteration: When the initial consonant sound repeats.

Style: Devices of Sound

Style: OtherPun: A play on words.

Style: OtherHyperbole: A big exaggeration

Style: OtherAllusion: When the author references something in another book, history, art, popular culture, etc. NOT AN ILLUSION.

“I see dead people. They’re everywhere”

Style: OtherSymbol: When something represents more than what it is.

Style: Other (Add These)Oxymoron /Paradox: When opposites or contradictions are put together; there to make readers pause and think.

Style: Devices of Sound

IronyWhen something unexpected happens.

IronyDramatic Irony: When the audience knows something the characters do not know.

IronySituational Irony: When the audience is shocked by something in the story because the outcome is different from what was expected.

Dude, YOU are ONE of the dead people I see all the time. You’ve been dead since the first scene of the movie!

Irony

Point of ViewFirst Person: Uses first person pronouns such as I, we, us.

Point of ViewSecond Person: Uses the second person pronouns you, your, yours.

Point of ViewThird Person: Uses the third person pronouns such as he, she, it, they, them, etc.

ToneThe overall voice used by the author. IE: sarcastic, witty, serious, etc.

Mood (Add This)The overall emotion / atmosphere created by the author. IE: happy, sad, etc.

The End!