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| Dynamic or round character |
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| goes through change or growth in the story. The grinch starts out as a miserable Christmas hating character, but changes to be more nice and giving. |
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| remains the same through the story- does not experience change. Sheldon Cooper is an intelligent theoretical physicist who adheres strictly to routine, lacks social skills or empathy, and is narcissistic. He always reverts back to his normal self unchanged. |
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| the leading character or a major character in a drama, movie, novel or other fictional text. It is Bella Swan in the novel "Twilight" |
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| refers to a literary device where the author created a character whose primary purpose is to create contrast to another character by laying emphasis or drawing attention to the differences in character. Dr. Jeckyll is a seemingly prosperous man, well established int he community, and known for his decency and charitable works. Mr. Hyde is violent and cruel, and everyone who sees him describes him as ugly and deformed. |
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| A concept, a person or an object that has served as a universally understood prototype of its kind. They are immediately identifiable and sometimes overused. In the show Glee, Quinn is the blonde, skinny cheerleader, Puck is the good looking athletic popular jock, Sue Sylvester the arrrogant, strong and bossy tough coach. |
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| A central character who lacks conventional heroic qualities. Walter in "Breaking Bad" is a science teacher who thinks he is going to die, makes drugs to raise money for his family and then doesn't die |
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| A character, group of characters, or institution, that opposes the protagonist or main character(s). Voldemort in the novel and movie "Harry Potter". |
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| A bitter enemy, especially one that seems unbeatable. Superman's enemy is Lex Luthor. |
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| A simple image showing the features of its subject in a simplified or exaggerated way. In literature, it is a description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others. Housewife in curlers, Farmer in overalls, College student drinking tons of coffee |
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| the character flaw or error of a hero that leads to a character's downfall. Dr. Gregory House from the TV show "House" has an addiction to pain medication and it causes his downfall. |
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| another way of saying overly arrogant. You can tell the difference y the fact that the character has seemed to allow reality slop away from them. The character portraying it has a false belief that they are "untouchable" On his way to winning 14 majors Tiger Woods felt like he was "untouchable." His arrogance led to his downfall when he was caught in the middle of a cheating scandal with many women. He did it because he believed he could do it and no one would catch him and, if someone did somehow catch him, the wouldn't dare "out" him. |
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| A figure of speech in which the speaker addresses an object, concept, or person (usually absent) that is unable to respond. "I am Legend" with Will Smith, the last man on earth, seeks comfort in attempting to speak to a mannequin. |
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| refers to a sequence of events and happenings that make up a story. There is usually a pattern unintended or intentional, that threads the story together. It starts with Exposition then Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Ends with Resolution. |
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| an introduction to a story that usually sets the tone and acts a a bit of a background or a "sneak peek" into the story. They are typically a narrative "spoken" by one of the characters and not from the part of the author. the first few minutes of the movie National Treasure is one. The young Ben hears the story of the treasure and next thing you know it is 30 years later. |
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The time and place of the events of the story. It basically helps in establishing where and when and under what circumstances the story is taking place.
The reality TV show survivor is set in a different locations each season. |
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The struggle between opposing forces. There are 4 types.
human vs human :Batman vs Bane int he "Dark Knight Rises"
human vs. self: 127 hours man must mentally and physically overcome being trapped for 127 hours.
human vs environment: 2012 human race vs environmental apocalypse
human vs society: Coach Carter uses new coaching techniques which are not approved by the community. |
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| A part of any basic plot line. It is the most exciting or intense part of the plot. Stories build up to it. Consider the movie Titanic. You can argue that it occurs either when the ship hits the iceberg or when the ship goes under the water. These are both intense/ exciting moments that are built up up to in the plot. |
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| A plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction. It is used to ensure the audience will return to see how the characters resolve the dilemma. Some movies end so you have to see the next movie to find out what happens |
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the process of releasing and thereby providing relief from, strong repressed emotions. It is usually felt by the audience/reader while exposed to a story that brings about great sorrow, pity, laughter, etc.
In the novel and film "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks the audience is able to cry when Ryan Gosling finally kisses Rachel McAdams in the rain. This display of emotion would be otherwise inappropriate or difficult to face. |
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| A specific theme that dominates a literary work. They are noticeable and play a significant role in defining the nature of the story, the course of events and the very fabric of the literary piece. One example from the "lord of the Rings" is temptation because the temptation of the ring is the motivating force behind every acton. |
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The base topic or focus that acts as a foundation for the entire literary piece. It links all aspects of the literary work with one another and is basically the main subject.
Example: In the movie Avatar: Imperialism, Militarism, Anti-Americanism |
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The perspective or attitude that the author adopts with regards to a specific
character, place, or development. It can portray a variety of emotions ranging from solemn, grave and critical to witty, wry and humorous. It helps the reader ascertain the writer’s feelings towards a particular topic and this in turn influences the reader’s understanding of the story.
Example Forest Gump is optimistic. It is clear that the author’s perspective and attitude about Forest is a positive one. |
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The author’s emotional perspective towards the subject of the literary work. It refers to the mental and emotional disposition of the author toward the subject, which in turn lends a particular character or atmosphere to the work.
Example: Miranda Lambert’s song “The House that Built Me” tells the story of going back to her childhood home. It is nostalgic and the author is searching to be healed. |
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Created when the setting or scene creates an emotional response in the reader or viewer.
Example In the gloom the courtyard looked of considerable size, and as several dark ways led from it under great round arches...I have not yet been able to see it by daylight.- Bram Stoker’s Dracula |
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In literature, one of the strongest devices, wherein the author uses words and
phrases to create “mental pictures” for the reader using the 5 senses. It helps the reader to visualize, and therein, more realistically experience the author’s writings and awaken the readers’ sensory perceptions.
Example The song “Vincent” is about Van Gogh’s painting “Starry Starry Night” |
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Used in literature and film. It represents an appeal to the audience’s emotions.
Example: Lion King Sadness for Mufassa’s Death
Aladdin Sympathy for a boy in poverty |
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Occurs when a writer makes a statement in which the actual meaning differs from the meaning that the words appear to express.
Example: sarcasm Great weather we’re having (during a rain storm) |
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Occurs when the reader is led to believe that one thing will occur but, in fact, the opposite occurs. This can be humorous or tragic.
Example: A cat chasing a dog. A senior citizen texting or blogging. |
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Occurs when the reader/audience knows something, but the characters within the story do not.
Example: In horror movies, the audience often knows that the killer is present, when the characters do not |
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The story is told by the narrator from his/her point of view. It is easily identified by the use of “I” or “Me”.
Example: “Diary of Anne Frank” tells the true story of Anne Frank, who lived in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. |
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his point of view addresses the reader and uses the pronouns “you,” “your,” and “yours.”
Example: The Twilight Zone talks to the audience |
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xThe narrator does not participate in the events of the story and tells the story by referring to all characters and places with pronouns and proper nouns (he, she, they).
Example: The narrator in the movie “Stranger Than Fiction” is all knowing |
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A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.
Example: nonfiction, fiction, myths, biography, fantasy, realistic fiction, humor, fable, historical |
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A comic work that uses black humor, which, in its most basic definition, is humor that makes light of otherwise solemn subject matter.
Example Sweeney Todd is a musical about a barber who kills his customers. He disposes of his victims by pulling a lever that makes them fall into a trap door leading to the basement. |
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An imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.
Example: The film “Scary Movie” makes fun of all other scary movies. |
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Occurs when a piece of writing is making fun of a human weakness or character
flaw. In general, even though it might be humorous and may “make fun”, its purpose is not to entertain and amuse but actually to derive a reaction of contempt from the reader.
Example The Hunger Games: Our need to be constantly entertained, even if it is at the expense of others. Desensitization to violence on TV |
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A series of unfortunate events by which one or more of the literary characters in the story undergo several misfortunes, which finally culminate into a disaster of epic proportions.
Example: The movie Titanic is a modern example. The main characters must face a number of unfortunately events that eventually lead to the sinking of their ship. |
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An imagined setting in which everything is unpleasant or bad. This could be totalitarian, apocalyptic, or environmentally degraded society.
Example: Zombie takeover in The Walking Dead or Hunger Games with unpleasant setting and totalitarian government |
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Fiction is set in an ideal or perfect community.
Example: The setting of the movie Pleasantville is at first considered to be ideal or perfect. By the end of the movie; however, we learn that it isn’t as perfect as it seems. |
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The intense feeling that an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events. It basically leaves the reader holding their breath and wanting more information. The amount of intensity is why it is hard to put a reading down.
Example: Prison Break and 24 have many of these moments. |
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