LITERARY TERMS
Theme is the underlying main idea of a literary work. Themes may be
stated directly or implied in the writing. Some literary works
have more than one theme.
Plot is the series of event in a story that present and resolve a conflict.
The plot of a literary work is the series of related events which
presents a conflict, leads to a climax (or point at which the conflict
is resolved and finally results in a conclusion of the conflict.
TWO types of conflict:
1. External conflict is a conflict in which the character struggles
against another character, nature or society.
2. Internal conflict is a conflict in which the character struggles
against some element of his own personality or conscience.
Point of View is the relationship between the narrator of a story
and the story itself.
TWO most common points of view:
A. FIRST PERSON
1. Detached - narrator speaks from time & reflection
2. Observer - narrator is confidant to main character
3. Subjective - narrator speaks as events unfold/special insights
B. THIRD PERSON
1. Omniscient - anonymous narrator/ God-like
2. Objective - anonynmous narrator/reports only what is seen &
heard
Setting a. Time - the date of the action of the work
b. Place - where the action takes place.
Characterization
Protagonist - hero; admirable; main character
Antagonist - enemy to the hero; main character or force
Dynamic - undergoes change
Round - 3-dimensional; fully developed
Static - remains the same
Flat -one-dimensional; not fully developed
Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what really is.
THREE types of Irony:
A. Verbal Irony -sarcasm;saying the opposite of what is meant
B. Irony of Situation - difference between the way events work
out & what is expected to happen
C. Irony of Tone - extends verbal irony; author expresses attitude
opposite to whatb he feels; used in satire & humor
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