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Literature Story Elements
Basic story elements students should know (middle school)
29
Literature
8th Grade
08/22/2012

Additional Literature Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

Characterization

 

Flat / static Character

Definition
A flat or static character is a character who does not change as a result of the action.
Term

Characterization

 

Round / dynamic Character

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).
Term

Characterization

 

Protagonist

Definition
The protagonist is a main character involved in the story's conflicts (often the good guy).
Term

Characterization

 

Antagonist

Definition
The antagonist is a force working against the protagonist.  It may be another character, society, nature, or even something within the main character.
Term

Narration

 

First Person

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.

Term

Narration

 

Second person

Definition

This narrator is rarely used.

This is when the story's narrator states everything as, "You."

Term

Narration

 

Third person

limited omniscient

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.
Term

Narration

 

Third person

omniscient

Definition
Third person onmiscient is when the narrator gives the thoughts and feelings of many or all characters at the same time.
Term

 

 

Tone

Definition
Tone is the author's attitude toward his subject.  He might be sympathetic, sarcastic, neutral, etc.
Term

 

 

Mood

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.
Term

 

 

Theme

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.
Term

Plot Elements

 

Exposition

Definition
Exposition is the background information important to understanding what is goin on in the story (exposes information).
Term

Plot Elements

 

Initiating Event

Definition
Initiating event is the event in the beginning that starts the action moving toward the climax.
Term

Plot Elements

 

Climax

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.
Term

Plot Elements

 

Resolution

Definition
Resolution is the outcome of the story, or what happens as a result of the climax.
Term

Plot Elements

 

Rising Action

Definition
Rising action consists of the events after the initiating event that lead to the climax.
Term

Plot Elements

 

Falling Action

Definition
Falling action consists of the events after the climax that lead to the resolution.
Term

 

 

Setting

Definition
The setting is the where and when the story takes place consisting of the following: time, location, landscape, political/social landscape.
Term

 

 

Conflict

Definition
Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces.  There are two types of conflict: internal and external.
Term

 

 

Internal Conflict

Definition
Internal conflict is when the opposing force is a struggle within a character.
Term

 

 

External Conflict

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)

Term

Literary Devices

 

Foreshadowing

Definition
Foreshadowing is when the suthor gives hints of future events.
Term

Literary Devices

 

Flashback

Definition
Flashback is when the author interrupts th story to take the reader back to events that happened before the story began.
Term

Literary Devices

 

Symbol

Definition
A symbol is something that stands for an idea beyond itself; it could be a person, place, thing, or an action.
Term

Literary Devices

 

Simile

 

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.

Term

Literary Devices

 

Metaphor

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.

Term

Literary Devices

 

Voice

Definition
Voice is the author's distinct style or manner of expression.
Term

Literary Devices

 

Irony

Definition
Irony is a difference between what is expected and what actually happens.
Term

Literary Devices

 

Allusion

Definition
Allusion is a reference to a famous person, place, event, or work of fiction.
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