Literary TermsLiterary Terms

Point of ViewPoint of View• The relationship of the narrator, or The relationship of the narrator, or

storyteller, to the story. It is the storyteller, to the story. It is the style in which the story is told. style in which the story is told.

- 1st Person - Limited 3rd Person- 1st Person - Limited 3rd Person– Omniscient Voice (3rd Person)Omniscient Voice (3rd Person)

First Person NarrativeFirst Person Narrative

• This occurs when This occurs when the story is told the story is told by one of the by one of the characters. The characters. The reader will reader will generally see generally see everything everything through this through this character’s eyes.character’s eyes.

Limited Third Person Limited Third Person NarrativeNarrative

• This occurs when the narrator is This occurs when the narrator is outside the story, but reveals outside the story, but reveals the thoughts of one character.the thoughts of one character.

Omniscient Third Person Omniscient Third Person NarrativeNarrative

• This point of view This point of view occurs when the occurs when the author reveals the author reveals the thoughts of several thoughts of several characters.characters.

CharacterizationCharacterization

• The method in which an author The method in which an author chooses to develop the chooses to develop the personalities of their characters.personalities of their characters.

Direct CharacterizationDirect Characterization

•When the author makes a When the author makes a direct statement about a direct statement about a character’s personality.character’s personality.

““Bill is loyal.”Bill is loyal.”

Indirect Indirect CharacterizationCharacterization

•When an author reveals a When an author reveals a character’s personality through character’s personality through their words, actions, or their words, actions, or dialogue between characters.dialogue between characters.

““Bill raced into the water to Bill raced into the water to save the sinking swimmer.”save the sinking swimmer.”

ConflictConflict

• The events of a The events of a story almost story almost always focuses always focuses on the struggle on the struggle between two between two opposing forces.opposing forces.

Internal ConflictInternal Conflict• This takes place in a character’s This takes place in a character’s

mind. mind. (i.e. A character may struggle (i.e. A character may struggle mentally with a difficult decision, mentally with a difficult decision, unpleasant truth, or adversity.)unpleasant truth, or adversity.)

External ConflictExternal Conflict

• This exists between a character This exists between a character and an outside force such as and an outside force such as another character, nature, or another character, nature, or society, etc.society, etc.

PlotPlot• The sequence of events in a story, The sequence of events in a story,

play, or novel where each event play, or novel where each event leads to, or causes, the next event.leads to, or causes, the next event.

1.1. ExpositionExposition

2.2. Narrative HookNarrative Hook

3.3. Rising ActionRising Action

4.4. ClimaxClimax

5.5. Falling ActionFalling Action

6.6. ResolutionResolution

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

• The use of The use of clues by the clues by the author to author to prepare prepare readers for readers for events that events that will happen in will happen in the story.the story.

ToneTone SettingSetting

• The attitude The attitude taken by the taken by the author or author or speaker toward speaker toward the subject or the subject or work.work.– Cold, Hot, Happy, Cold, Hot, Happy,

Sad, Frightening, Sad, Frightening, Mysterious, etc. Mysterious, etc.

• The time and The time and place in which place in which the events of a the events of a story take story take place.place.

IronyIrony• The difference between reality and The difference between reality and

what seems to be real.what seems to be real.– The use of words to express something different The use of words to express something different

from and often opposite to their literal meaning. from and often opposite to their literal meaning. – An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate

contrast between apparent and intended meaning. contrast between apparent and intended meaning. – A literary style employing such contrasts for A literary style employing such contrasts for

humorous or rhetorical effect. humorous or rhetorical effect.

Verbal IronyVerbal Irony• When a person says one thing When a person says one thing

and means another.and means another.

Situational IronySituational Irony• When the actual When the actual

outcome is the outcome is the opposite of opposite of someone’s someone’s expectations.expectations.

Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony

• This occurs when the audience has This occurs when the audience has important information that the important information that the characters in a literary work do not.characters in a literary work do not.

Short Stories – DefinedShort Stories – Defined• A brief narrative in prose that is based A brief narrative in prose that is based

on conflict, or a character under stress.on conflict, or a character under stress.• It’s purpose is to be concise, have It’s purpose is to be concise, have meaning and often show meaning and often show the true nature of people.the true nature of people. - - Irish author, James Joyce, Irish author, James Joyce,

called the short story an called the short story an “ “epiphany” or “revelation”.epiphany” or “revelation”.

Short Stories – A Brief Short Stories – A Brief HistoryHistory

• Short stories, like all forms of storytelling, were passed by word of mouth at first.

• The earliest written short stories date back to around 4000 BC and they were written on papyri.

The RenaissanceThe Renaissance•Giovanni Boccaccio, Giovanni Boccaccio,

known as the father known as the father of modern fiction, of modern fiction, was one of the first was one of the first authors to write in authors to write in prose.prose.– Dating back to the Dating back to the

Romans and Greeks Romans and Greeks before them, most before them, most authors wrote in authors wrote in poetic verse.poetic verse.

The 19The 19thth Century Century• There was conscious effort to bring the There was conscious effort to bring the

short story to a higher form of art.short story to a higher form of art.

US – Poe & HawthorneUS – Poe & HawthorneFrance – Balzac & MaupassantFrance – Balzac & MaupassantGermany - HoffmanGermany - Hoffman