Literary+Terms

Literary Elements

Climax-Often called the turning point, the climax is the moment when the reader’s interest and emotional intensity reach the highest point. The climax usually occurs toward the end of the story, after the reader has understood the conflict and gotten emotionally involved with the characters. The climax sometimes, but not always, points to the resolution of the conflict.

Characters-are the people who take part in the action of a story or a novel. Sometimes characters can be animals or imaginary creatures, such as monsters from outer space. Events in a story center on the lives of one or more characters, referred to as main characters. The other characters, called minor characters, interact with the main characters and help move the story along. In “The Last Boast,” Wolfer Joe Kennedy is the main character: Barney Gallagher, the marshal is a minor character.

Conflict- The plot of a story always involves some sort of conflict, or struggle between opposing forces. An External Conflict- involves a character pitted against an outside force, such as nature, a physical obstacle, or another character. An Internal Conflict- is one that occurs within the character.

Exposition- In fiction the structure of the plot normally begins with exposition. In the early part of the story, the exposition sets the tone, establishes the setting, introduces the characters, and gives the reader important background information.

Simile- is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things using like or as. In “Incident in a Rose Garden,” the line “Dressed like a Spanish Waiter” contains a simile.

Falling Action- In the plot structure, the falling action is sometimes called the resolution and occurs at the end of the story. The conflict is usually revolved at this time, and any loose ends are tied up.

Suspense- Suspense is the excitement or tension that the reader fells as they become involved in a story and eager to know the outcome.

Setting- is the time and place of the action of the story. Some stories such as “The Utterly Perfect Murder,” have only a minimal description of setting. In other literary works, such as “Through the Tunnel,” and “Marigolds,” setting is described in detail and becomes a major contributor to the story’s total effect.

Theme- Is the main idea ion a work of fiction. It is a perception about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader. In most cases, the theme is not stated directly but must be inferred from the characters and situations in a story.

Style-

Symbol- is a person, place, an activity, or an object that stands for something beyond itself. For example, a dove is a common symbol for peace. Rising action- refers to the events in a story that move the plot along by adding complications or expanding the conflict. Rising action usually builds suspense to a climax, or turning point.

Characterization- refers to the methods that a writer uses to develop characters. Four basic methods of Characterization are through 1) Description of their physical appearance. 2) A characters thoughts, speech, feelings or actions. 3) The thoughts, feelings, actions, and speech of other characters. 4) Direct comments about a character.

Flashback- Is a conversation, an episode, or an event that happened before the beginnings of the story. Often a flashback interprets the chronological flow of a story to give the reader information to help in understanding a characters present situation.

Foreshadowing- is a writers use of hints or clues to indicate events and situations that will occur later in the plot. The use of this technique creates suspense while at the same time preparing the reader for what is to come.

Hyperbole- A figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect.

Inference-

Irony- Irony is a special kind of contrast between appearance and reality-usually one in which reality is the opposite from what it seems. Three types of Irony are Situational, Dramatic, and Verbal.

Metaphor- is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things with something in common. Unlike similes, metaphor do not use like or as.

Point of view- The point of view refers to the perspective from which events in the story or novel are told. First person POV is where the narrator speaks in their own words. Third person Omniscient POV is where the narrator sees into the minds of more than one character. Third person limited POV is where the narrator tells only what other character think, feel, and observes.

Personification- is a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object, an animal, or idea.