Literary Terms

Realize that these lists are not exhaustive.

Introduction to Fiction

Theme - The central idea or universal truth that the story examines; one word or phrase

Theme statement – A single sentence that attempts to explain the story’s truth (what the story worries about)

• Is a generalization about life or human nature using universal terms

• Accounts for all the details of the story (doesn’t look at only one part)

• Avoids clichés or plot summaries

• May recognize the significance of the story’s title or special symbols

Universal theme - one of lasting interest; is meaningful not just to people here and now, but to all human beings of all ages

Conflict - The opposition between forces in a story; man v. man, self, nature, & society

• External - A personal and individual struggle between the central character and another character, or between the central character and some non-human force, such as fate, society, or nature; “man v. man,” “man v. nature,” and “man v. society”

• Internal - A psychological conflict within the central character; the primary struggle is between different aspects of a single personality; “man v. self”

Protagonist - The central character; may be an individual or group

Antagonist - Whatever opposing force the protagonist struggles with, such as another character, environment, or something within the protagonist

Plot - A series of actions; the plan or groundwork of the story

• Exposition - The work’s introduction where background information is given for the plot development

• Rising Action / Complication - The point at which major conflicts or problems are presented

• Climax - The moment of highest tension in a story; the turning point when a decision has to be made that will determine the story’s outcome; sometimes at the same moment as the falling action

• Falling Action - The action or decision that determines the story’s outcome; sometimes at the same moment as the climax

• Dénouement / Resolution - The final stage or unraveling of the plot; usually very brief; here, the tension is over, and unanswered questions may be explained

Character - A reasonable facsimile of a human being; the inner self that determines thought, speech, behavior

• Round - fully developed and believable

• Dynamic - capacity to change

• Flat - one-dimensional with no depth

• Static - no change

• Developing - Is deeply affected by the action of the plot and undergoes some important change of personality, attitude, or outlook on life as a result of the action of the story

• Stock - Minor character whose actions are completely predictable or typical of their job or profession, e.g., the “dumb blonde,” the “mean step-mother,” etc.

Epiphany - “a showing forth” or sudden revelation of the truth about a character or situation; the awareness comes through a specific event that causes the reader to see the character or situation anew; stories remind us that we are often not ready for life’s epiphanies; they come to us with a raw power that transforms an ordinary moment

Foil - Usually a minor character that highlights the major character; the foil may present contrasting characteristics or behavior

Setting - The environment of the story, including objects; think of how the objects help us understand character and theme; do they “speak” to the characters

Irony - Involves incongruity between what is expected and what happens

• Verbal - saying the opposite of what is intended; sarcasm

• Situational - An outcome that is opposite of what is expected

• Dramatic - A situation in a literary work when the reader understands more than one or more characters; the characters are in a state of ignorance

Symbol - A specific word, idea, or object that may stand for ideas, values, persons, or ways of life

Motif - Images, patterns, or ideas repeated throughout the story; variations or aspects of the story’s theme

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Elements of Fiction

Setting

• Geographical location

• Time period

• Socio-economic characteristics of the location

Characters

• Round

• Flat

• Static

• Dynamic

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

Characterization

• Direct

• Indirect (thought, word, action, appearance)

Plot

• Exposition

• Rising action

• Climax

• Falling action

• Resolution

Conflict

• Internal

• External

Point of view

• Omniscient

• Limited omniscient

• First person

Theme

Symbolism