Literary Terms
Explore the art of storytelling with an in-depth look at literary terms including plot, character, characterization, point of view, irony, setting, and theme. Understand how these elements work together to create engaging narratives that captivate readers.
Literary Terms
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Presentation Transcript
Plot • Sequence of events in a literary work • Exposition– intro (setting, characters, etc) • Conflict– struggle between opposing forces • Rising action- learn more info about characters and problems • Climax– high point • Falling action– begin to wrap things up • Resolution– ending
Character • Person or animal that takes part in the story • Protagonist- most important character in story • Antagonist- opposes main character • Round character- shows many traits • Flat character- show limited aspects • Dynamic character- character develops and grows • Static character- character doesn’t change
Characterization • Act of creating and developing a character through speech, actions, appearance, thoughts and interactions • Direct– author directly states character’s traits • Indirect– author tells basic traits and reader draws conclusions
Point of View • Determines type and amount of info the writer reveals • 1st person- 1 character tells the story; we know only what they know; may not be reliable • 3rd person limited- voice outside the story but we only see through 1 character’s eyes • 3rd person omniscient– all knowing
Irony • Portrays the difference between appearance and reality, expectation and result, or meaning and intention • Verbal- words are used to suggest opposite of what is meant • Dramatic- contradiction between what character thinks and audience knows • Irony of situation- event occurs directly contradicts expectations of character or reader
Setting • Time and place of action
Theme • Central message or insight into life (NOT a summary)