Structural Devices Flashcards
Setting
The time and place in which events occur.
Narrator
The person telling a story.
First person
Narrator uses ‘I’ or ‘me’, so they are a character in their story.
Third person
Narrator uses ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘they’, as if they were an observer of events.
Omniscient narrator
Is all-seeing and all-knowing, able to get into the minds of characters.
Point of view
The perspective taken on events.
Plot
The sequence of events.
Sub-plot
A strand of events that is of less significance to a text’s main themes, or characters but still of interest to readers.
Genre
The style of category of literary text according to recognised codes and conventions.
Foreshadowing
Hints of what’s to come.
Repetition
Recurring sounds, words or ideas, used to emphasise or draw focus.
Exposition
Detailed description or explanation, usually used to introduce a character or idea.
Climax
When events reach a pinnacle, often making a turning point.
Denouement
A conclusion in which issues are resolved.
Flashback
A temporary interruption of the chronological sequence of events to reveal something that happened earlier.
Flashforward
A temporary interruption of the chronological sequence of events to reveal something that will happen later.
Conflict
Forces at odds with one another.
Protagonist
The main character, often the ‘hero’, whom readers are made to root for or empathise with.
Antagonist
Who the protagonist battles against.
Foil
A character who contrasts with another (usually the protagonist) in order to draw attention to particular qualities or characteristics.
Dialogue
Conversation between characters.
Steam of consciousness
A person’s thoughts and feelings delivered as if they are pouring out of their head, unhindered by any other character or event.
Themes
The morals, ideas and deeper meanings contained in a literary text.
Mood
The disposition a literary text evokes in its readers.
