ELA literary terms Flashcards
(60 cards)
what is the definition of suspense?
The quality of a story that makes the reader be curious as to what will happen next.
the curiosity combined with anxiety over what could happen to a character you start to care for.
The author uses some mystery or dilemma to create the anxiety and curiosity the readers feel.
what is the definition of foreshadowing?
The author giving you the reader hints as to what will happen next
what is the definition of setting?
the place and time in which a story’s action takes place time might include the year, season, time of day.
what is the definition of atmosphere?
which includes the culture, ways of life, and shared beliefs of the character.
what is the definition of protagonists?
the central character; we care about him/her/them and follow their struggle with interest.
what is the definition of antagonists?
the person or force that works against the protagonists.
what is the definition of a round character?
a character whose personality traits are complex and multi faceted (more like a real person)
what is the definition of a flat character?
a character whose personality traits can be described in just a few words.
what is the definition of a static character?
a character that does not change over the course of the book
what is the definition of a dynamic or developing character?
a character that changes over the course of the book
what is the definition of a stock character?
a character put in that portrays an obvious role that the audience already knows and is easy to find the character as for example the hot jock.
what is the definition of simile?
a comparison using like or as
what is the definition of a metaphor?
a comparison used without like or as.
what is the definition of conflict?
an important element of a story’s plot that involves a clash of ideas, desires, or wills
often sets in motion the rising action of the plot.
Person vs person
person vs society
person vs self
person vs machine
person vs supernatural
what is the definition of tone?
The attitude of the author towards the subject through diction exs formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, cheerful etc.
what is the definition of irony?
a situation or use of language involving some kind of disparity between what’s expected and what actually happens.
what is the definition of symbol?
an object or action that represents something beyond its literal meaning
what is the definition of imagery?
a way the author describes things so that the reader can picture them.
what is the definition of personification?
giving human characteristics to inhuman things.
what is the definition of alliteration?
using many words with the same beginning sounds in a row.
what is the definition of foreshadowing
the author dropping a hint of what will occur later in the book
what is the definition of point of view
if the narrator is a character in the story, you have a first person point of view. You’re done!
the lottery : “I, Me, My, Ours 3 person objective
Inner thoughts/feelings of multiple characters
Inner thoughts/ feelings mainly 1 character. No inner thoughts/ feelings like a sound camera.
if they know inner thoughts and feelings of multiple characters 3rd person omniscient
if they know inner thoughts of 1 person 3rd person limited,
if they know no inner thoughts and feelings it is 3rd person limited (Mrs. Hale) when 3rd person limited no I we our me my which is different than in 1st.
what is the definition of theme
a main idea or an underlying message of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly.
a topic is not the same as the theme. A theme is based on a topic but the topic is the shorthand a subject in everyday use is heirlooms but the theme is the author’s opinion on that topic. An example subject is war. The theme would be war is a curse for humanity that requires dire sacrifices for little worthwhile gain. explore a theme of a literary work by analyzing the literary devices.
what is the definition of perfunctory
done without care; in a routine fashion adjective
