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A reference to a statement, person, place, event, or thing that is known from literature, history, religion, myth, etc.

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Allusion

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when a character experiences an emotional cleansing

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Catharsis

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The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. This can be done by describing the characters thoughts, feelings, speech and actions, revealing the reactions of other characters.

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Characterization

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The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. This can be done by describing the characters thoughts, feelings, speech and actions, revealing the reactions of other characters.

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Characterization

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changes in an important way as a result of the conflict

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Dynamic Character

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remains the same.

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Static Character

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The main character (hero) who opposes one or more forces in a story

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Protagonist

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The character or force that comes into conflict with the protagonist

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Antagonist

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A struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces or emotions

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Conflict

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occurs when a character struggles against some outside force

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External Conflict

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occurs when a character struggles with emotions, needs or desires within himself.

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Internal conflict

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When the author interrupts the action of the story in order to recreate a scene from an earlier time.

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Flashback

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The use of clues to hint at what is going to happen later in the plot

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Foreshadowing

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Language that appeals to the senses.

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Imagery

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A contrast between expectation and reality - between what is said and what is really meant, between what is expected and what really happens, or between what appears to be true and what really is true.

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Irony

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when the audience knows something a character does not know.

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Dramatic Irony

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occurs when, for instance, a man is chuckling at the misfortune of the other people even when the same misfortune, in complete unawareness, is befalling him.

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Situational Irony

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verbal irony involves what one does not mean. When in response to a foolish idea, we say, "what a great idea!" it is a verbal irony.

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Verbal Irony

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A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things.

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Metaphor

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The overall atmosphere or feeling of a story.

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Mood

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A kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman thing or quality is talked about as if it were human.

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Personification

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The series of events that make up a story.

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Plot

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introduces the characters, setting, and background information

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Exposition

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the conflict that drives the plot forward

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Narrative Hook

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the events that occur as the result of the narrative hook

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Rising Action

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the turning point

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Climax

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the events that occur as the result of the climax

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Falling Action

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is the final outcome

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Resolution

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The position from which the events in a story are presented/observed.

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Point of view

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is in use when a character narrates the story with I-me-my-mine in his or her speech. The advantage of this point of view is that you get to hear the thoughts of the narrator and see the world depicted in the story through his or her eyes. However, remember that no narrator, like no human being, has complete self-knowledge or, for that matter, complete knowledge of anything. Therefore, the readers role is to go beyond what the narrator says.

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First Person

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is in which the author uses you and your, is rare; authors seldom speak directly to the reader. When you encounter this point of view, pay attention. Why? The author has made a daring choice, probably with a specific purpose in mind. Most times, second-person point of view draws the reader into the story, almost making the reader a participant in the action.

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Second Person

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is that of an outsider looking at the action. The writer may choose third-person omniscient, in which the thoughts of every character are open to the reader, or third-person limited, in which the reader enters only one characters mind, either throughout the entire work or in a specific section. Third-person limited differs from first-person because the authors voice, not the characters voice, is what you hear in the descriptive passages.

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Third Person

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The time and place in which the action occurs in a story

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Setting

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A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things by using a connective word such as like or as.

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Simile

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A person, place, thing or event that stands both for itself and for something beyond itself. (Universal symbols: dove=peace, heart=love)

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Symbolism

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The central idea or insight or a work of literature

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Theme

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The attitude a writer takes toward the reader, a subject, or a character. (ironic, serious, humorous, tender, angry, etc.)

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Tone

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The attitude a writer takes toward the reader, a subject, or a character. (ironic, serious, humorous, tender, angry, etc.)

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Tone

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The attitude a writer takes toward the reader, a subject, or a character. (ironic, serious, humorous, tender, angry, etc.)

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Tone

English Regents Literary Elements Definitions – Flashcards

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