Term
Characterization
Flat / static Character |
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Definition
A flat or static character is a character who does not change as a result of the action. |
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Term
Characterization
Round / dynamic Character |
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Definition
A round or dynamic character is a character who changes as a result of the action. These changes must be internal, not external (like dying). |
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Term
Characterization
Protagonist |
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Definition
The protagonist is a main character involved in the story's conflicts (often the good guy). |
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Term
Characterization
Antagonist |
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Definition
The antagonist is a force working against the protagonist. It may be another character, society, nature, or even something within the main character. |
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Term
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Definition
First person narration is when the narrator is a character in the story.
-The reader gets the thoughts and feelings of this character.
-The thoughts and feelings of other characters are only guesses from the narrator. |
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Term
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Definition
This narrator is rarely used.
This is when the story's narrator states everything as, "You." |
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Term
Narration
Third person
limited omniscient |
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Definition
Third person limited omniscient is when the narrator only gives the thoughts and feelings of one character at a time. This character sometimes changes in different sections or chapters. |
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Term
Narration
Third person
omniscient |
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Definition
Third person onmiscient is when the narrator gives the thoughts and feelings of many or all characters at the same time. |
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Term
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Definition
Tone is the author's attitude toward his subject. He might be sympathetic, sarcastic, neutral, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
Mood is the feeling the author wants you to get while reading the story. This may change in different parts of the story. This is sometimes called atmosphere. |
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Term
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Definition
Theme is the message the author is trying to get across by writing the story. There may be more than one theme in the story, especially in longer pieces of fiction. |
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Term
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Definition
Exposition is the background information important to understanding what is goin on in the story (exposes information). |
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Term
Plot Elements
Initiating Event |
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Definition
Initiating event is the event in the beginning that starts the action moving toward the climax. |
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Term
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Definition
Climax is the point in the story (usually toward the end) where the main character either wins or loses/gets what he wants or doesn't. This is the point of no return in the story. |
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Term
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Definition
Resolution is the outcome of the story, or what happens as a result of the climax. |
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Term
Plot Elements
Rising Action |
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Definition
Rising action consists of the events after the initiating event that lead to the climax. |
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Term
Plot Elements
Falling Action |
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Definition
Falling action consists of the events after the climax that lead to the resolution. |
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Term
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Definition
The setting is the where and when the story takes place consisting of the following: time, location, landscape, political/social landscape. |
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Term
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Definition
Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. There are two types of conflict: internal and external. |
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Term
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Definition
Internal conflict is when the opposing force is a struggle within a character. |
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Term
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Definition
External conflict is when the opposing force is another character, society, or nature.
(man v. self, man v. society, man v. man, man v. nature) |
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Term
Literary Devices
Foreshadowing |
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Definition
Foreshadowing is when the suthor gives hints of future events. |
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Term
Literary Devices
Flashback |
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Definition
Flashback is when the author interrupts th story to take the reader back to events that happened before the story began. |
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Term
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Definition
A symbol is something that stands for an idea beyond itself; it could be a person, place, thing, or an action. |
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Term
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Definition
A simile is a comparison of two unlike things to express something in common using "like" or "as."
ex: The eighth grade is like a thundering herd in the hallway. |
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Term
Literary Devices
Metaphor |
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Definition
A metaphor compares two unlike things to express something in common but the words "like" or "as" are not used.
Ex: The thundering herd of eighth graders moved through the hallway. |
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Term
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Definition
Voice is the author's distinct style or manner of expression. |
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Term
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Definition
Irony is a difference between what is expected and what actually happens. |
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Term
Literary Devices
Allusion |
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Definition
Allusion is a reference to a famous person, place, event, or work of fiction. |
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