| personification |
when something is given qualities it normally does not have |
| simile |
comparison using "like" or "as" |
| metaphor |
comparison NOT using "like" or "as" |
| symbol |
when something stands for something else |
| alliteration |
when two or more words are next to each other that begin with the same letter or sound |
| imagery |
when the author forms an image in your mind |
| idiom |
a phrase that cannot be taken literally, but its meaning is understood |
| hyperbole |
an exaggeration |
| irony |
when the opposite of what is expected happens |
| onomatopoeia |
when the sound of an action is spelled like it sounds |
| repetition |
when words are repeated in sequence |
| oxymoron |
when two words are next to each other that have opposite meanings, but they create a new meaning |
| flat |
character that usually only shows one side of his/her personality, and does not show growth or maturity in the story |
| round |
character that usually shows many sides of personality and shows growth or maturity in the story |
| major |
a main character, story would change if character were removed |
| minor |
a less important character and the story would not change or only change slightly if this character were removed |
| direct |
type of characterization when a description is given in the story is words |
| indirect |
type of characterization when a character is described through actions and dialogue |
| dialogue |
words spoken by characters |
| foreshadowing |
a hint in the story of something that will happen later in the story |
| setting |
the time and place of the story |
| conflict |
struggle in the story |
| external |
conflict KIND that is a struggle between two characters or things in the story and exists outside the character |
| internal |
conflict KIND that is a struggle within one character and the stuggle exists inside that character |
| man v man |
a struggle between two characters, external |
| man v himself |
a struggle with in one character, internal |
| man v nature |
a struggle between a character and a natural force, external |
| man v society |
a struggle between a character and a force of society, external |
| exposition |
background information is given to understand the story better, characters are introduced, setting is established |
| rising action |
events leading to the climax, conflict is present, suspense is present, longest portion of the story |
| falling action |
climax is explained, characters express how they feel about the climax |
| climax |
highest point of the story, purpose of reading the story, a discovery is made |
| resolution |
characters return to as normal a life as possible |
| theme |
the "message" of the story |
| indirect theme |
when only after reading the entire story is it possible to figure out the theme |
| direct theme |
when the theme is stated directly in the story, an actual sentence or portion of the story is the theme |
| point of view |
the angle from which the story is told |
| omniscient |
when the narrator knows what is happening to every character, all-knowing |
| 1st person |
when the narrator is telling the story from his/her point of view, the word "I" is present outside of quotes |
| 3rd person |
when the narrator is telling the story about one character that is not him/herself and is aware of other characters' actions and possibly their thoughts |
| flashback |
when a portion of the story goes back in time |
| plot |
the development of the story line from start to finish |
