Making a literary character seem real.
Author accomplishes this through:
looks
2. what the character thinks
thoughts
3. what the character says
words
4. what the character doesactions
5. how the character feels
emotions
1. physical description
others
6. how others react to/speak about
the character
character
development
An underdeveloped character.
Usually only learn “see” one side of him/her.
Reader often doesn’t develop an emotional
attachment or opinion of him/her.
flat
character
An fully developed character.
Learn of his/her thoughts, feelings, emotions,
actions.
The fictional character becomes quite real to reader.
Reader develops an emotional attachment or opinion
of him/her.
round
character
A main or central character.
main
Is often considered “the good guy” of
the story.
hero
The writer makes it so the readers
think positively of the character.
pro
Protagonist
A main or central character.
main
Is often considered “the bad guy” of
the story.
villain
The writer makes it so the readers
think negatively of the character.
anti-
Antagonist
A character that doesn’t change.
NO change
static
character
A character that does change due to
the course of events.
change
dynamic
character
The one who tells the story.
who... what
narrator
Telling a story in the order in which it
happened.
in order
ch
ro
no
lo
gi
ca
l
Interrupt the events in a story to show
something that happened in the past.
back
flashback
To skip some period of time in a story,
picking up in the future.
skip
time lapse
The angle of vision chosen to tell a story.
how
point of view
1. FIRST PERSON: Character tells the
story.
“I”
2. SECOND PERSON: Author speaks to
reader,
“you”
3. THIRD PERSON: Author tells about
the characters.
4. OMNISCIENT: Reader learns
everything about all characters
(thoughts, feelings).
“he”
5. LIMITED OMNISCIENT: Author
tells reader thoughts and feelings
of only one character.
“they”
five most
common
point of
views
The sequence of events.
Also known as the narrative order.
The youngest daughter of
a sea god falls in love with
a human. She must decide
to give up her most
precious possessions, her
melodious voice and her
life as a mermaid, or live a
life without her human
prince.
plot
1. Exposition
intro
2. Rising Action
conflict
3. Climax
turning point
4. Falling Action
wrap up loose end
5. Resolution
end
Five
elements of
plot
A smaller, parallel plot that coexists
with the main plot.
Often involves supporting or minor
characters.
Contains all elements found in a plot.
subplot
intro
First stage of plot.
Provides reader with necessary
background information, including
where/when the story occurs and who
it involves.
setting
characters
exposition
Found in the exposition of the plot.
Establishes context by telling when
and where the story happens.
when&where
setting
Series of complications or conflict.
tension
rising
action
A struggle between forces.
Gets resolved by end of the story.
___vs.____
conflict
1. Person vs. self: Fighting something within, like
alcoholism.
self
2. Person vs. person: Conflict between two
characters.
other
3. Person vs. society: Person defies societal
norms, homosexual in heterosexual town.
society
4. Person vs. nature: Person fights the elements,
such as trying to survive in a blizzard.
nature
5. Person vs. fate: Person fighting the inevitable,
such as battling cancer.
fate
types of
conflict
Hint of what is to come.
future
foreshadow
The peak of tension.
peak
The turning point of the plot.
turning point
climax
Moving a story from the climax to the resolution.
Provides necessary explanation.
falling
action
The completion of a story.
Can be closed or open (cliffhanger).
closure
resolution
Representing something else.
represent
symbolism
Something amusing or witty because of the use of
opposite meanings or contradictory ideas. A gap
between what is (reality) and what is expected,
perceived, or intended.
contrary
irony
The implied attitude of a writer toward a subject.
attitude
tone
The prevailing tone of a piece.
overall vibe
mood
The way an author chooses words, arranges them,
and develops ideas through literary techniques.
style
A lesson.
The underlying meaning or universal truth being
articulated in a piece.
Conveyed in one sentence.
Supported by facts from the piece, things that
were said/done, choices the writer makes.
“The moral of the story is...”
moral
An idea derived from the language, character
development, and/or action.
courage, love, acceptance
theme