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English final-Literary Terms
Literary terms for English final
35
English
9th Grade
06/22/2009

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Term
Act
Definition
The largest division of a play. From this to this there may be major shifts in time or setting.
Term
Alliteration
Definition
Repetition of initial consonant sounds in prose or poetry (Ex. cool, calm, and collected)
Term
Allusion
Definition
References to things outside a piece of literature (objects, events, other character, etc) used to add variety, imagery, and give authority and add depth.
Term
Analogy
Definition
A comparison of situations or objects used for illustration, example, or clarity.
Term
Antagonist
Definition
Often the villain of the story; conflicts with the protagonist.
Term
Apostrophe
Definition
A figure of speech in which a person, idea, object or deity is addressed. The core idea is that the adressee cannot respond.
Term
Aside
Definition
A short speech made by a character in a play in which the audience is meant to hear while the characters on stage are assumed to have not heard.
Term
Assonance
Definition
The repetition the same vowel sounds followed by different consonent sounds.
Term
Atmosphere
Definition
The general mood of a work; akin to setting; may embrace the place, the time or season, living conditions, ets. Mood.
Term
Character
Definition
A person in a work of literature.
Term
Major
Definition
The primary character who does most of the action. Plot is focused on her/him.
Term
Minor
Definition
Secondary characters; receive less attention.
Term
Protagonist
Definition
Usually the hero of the story. Character with whom we are sympathetic.
Term
Round Character
Definition
Well-developed, complex character. S/he has many sides.
Term
Flat Character
Definition
Stereotypical and/or simple character.
Term
Dynamic Character
Definition
Character who experiences a profound change during the story.
Term
Static Character
Definition
Character who does not change. S/he remains the same.
Term
Characterization
Definition
the personality of a character

There are two major methods that an author uses to create the personalities of his or her characters.

The first method is simple: direct characterization. In direct characterization, the author simply tells the reader what the character is like.

The second method is indirect characterization. Form of characterization requires more skill from the writer and the reader.
Term
Climax
Definition
The point of conflict resolution or explosion; sometimes considered the highest point of action; the turning point from which the reader knows that nothing can be the same. Determines resolution.
Term
Comedy
Definition
A light or amusing drama that usually pokes fun at the comic effects of human weakness. Unity and peace restored.
Term
Comis relief
Definition
A comic scene in a play used to relieve tension or sadness, often placed before or after saddest moment of play.
Term
Conflict
Definition
The "problem" or friction in a work of fiction
Term
Internal Conflict
Definition
Person struggles with herself; she may be forced to change an idea she had previously, or she could be tempted to act against her values, etc.
Term
Person vs. person
Definition
Two characters struggle with each other. Often, it’s the protagonist (hero) vs. the antagonist (the villain).
Term
Person vs. nature
Definition
Protagonist must survive/ beat the elements
Term
Person vs. society
Definition
Protagonist may have to position himself against society.
Term
Person vs. fate
Definition
Protagonist may be trying to escape a supernatural force that is controlling his life.
Term
Person vs. machine
Definition
Protagonist must outwit a machine of some type, often a computer.
Term
Connotation and denotation
Definition
Denotation is the simple, dictionary definition of a word; connotations are intellectual and emotional associations with a word.
Term
Denouement
Definition
Essentially the portion of a story that follows the climax and leads up to the final conclusion.
Term
Dialect
Definition
The object's representation of language specific to a region, level of education, wealth, language, etc.
Term
Dialogue
Definition
The exchange of words between characters; good dialogue contributes to plot and character development. Bad dialogue doesn't.
Term
Diction
Definition
The author's selection of words; good diction is artistic, provocative and engagement.
Term
Drama
Definition
A presentation of fictional events and characters; drama may be divided into comedy and tragedy in the larger sense, although these two may be classified on other levels.
Term
Epilogue
Definition
A short poem, speech or chapter concluding a piece of fiction, poetry or drama.
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