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These notes are definitions of terms used throughout the year in our various units of study. Although terms are introduced and studied heavily during the course of one unit, they will resurface throughout the course of the year in subsequent literature selections. Students need to understand the meaning of the terms, their purpose and relevance in literature, and to be able to identify their use. All notes should be located in the first section of the student's English notebooks. Although the following list can be extremely helpful, be aware that actual notes from class may include more detailed explanation than is found here. Following an absence, it is a wise idea for any student to get thorough notes from a classmate or Ms. Scott. ALLEGORY A story or tale with two or more levels of meaning: a literal level (the actual plot of a story) and one or more symbolic levels. AUTHOR'S PURPOSE - that which the author / writer wants to accomplish, achieve, or gain. - (can be related to motivation) BIAS: - a mental leaning for or against a certain point of view, not necessarily based in fact - Showing favor or personal preference in one direction over another. CHARACTERIZATION I. Definition: The methods used by an author to show the personality of a character in a narrative. A) physical description B) the character's words C) the character's actions D) the character's thoughts E) what others think or say about the character F) direct author comment II. Purpose A) To understand what motivates a character and their behaviors, and B) To then be able to predict what (s)he may do in a future or different situation CONFLICT - INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL - a major struggle between opposing forces - important in literature since the conflict causes the action Internal conflict a struggle experienced within the mind of a character him/herself. a mental struggle Man / woman vs. self Ex. A character must make a difficult decision (someone being pressured to do something they know is wrong) Ex. A character is stuck in a no-win situation (catch-22) External conflict a struggle where a character is battling some outside force Three types of external conflict - man vs. man: some kind of physical or verbal argument between two or more characters (a fight between people with words or fists) - man vs. nature : a character is facing a force that occurs in nature - man vs. society or the expectations of a group a character goes against something that is considered to be the norm, or the accepted way of doing something. DESCRIPTION I. The Term - a.k.a. (also known as) ** Sensory Language or Imagery ** A. Definition: 1. Details in words and phrases (written language) that create a vivid picture of a person, place, or scene. 2. These pictures or images appeal to one or more of the reader’s senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. II. The Purpose A.Interest - An author might use detailed and elaborate sensory language in order to generate more of the reader’s interest. - By creating a clearer image for the reader,(s)he may also better understand. B. Setting the mood or give a specific impression An author may also use detailed description deliberately in order to create a certain mood or feeling in the reader. - to feel how scary place was and/or the people were - to feel the extent to which a situation was dangerous! - to feel how otherwise emotional a situation was (upsetting, joyous, exciting) DRAMA A. Writing that presents events through the dialogue and, sometimes, the movements and actions of characters. 1. It is entirely different from other literature where the narrator can give unlimited background information and insight into the characters and the setting. In drama, virtually all information is witnessed and experienced through the characters’ speech and actions. 2. Occasionally, a narrator may appear to offer some background, but only to a very limited degree. 3. Variation in text and print are used to guide the reader. * italics * , ( parentheses ) , bold type, CAPITAL letter etc. B. Generally, the story has been deliberately written in order to be acted out in front of an audience. C. The action is usually driven by a character who wants something very much and takes steps to get it. I. ELEMENTS OF PLOT - A series of related events in a story A. Exposition The exposition is where the author shares any basic background information that the reader needs to know to understand the story completely. This includes the basic situation and set up of the story. 1. Characters - who is involved, what kind of person are they, what do they want, and what motivates them. a. Joey. He loves hiking, boating and fishing. He likes the outdoors so much that in the winter, he’ll sleep with the window open. b. Lucy. She wants to fly a space shuttle. She has read every book ever written about NASA. At amusement parks she spends all her time on the craziest rides to test her stomach strength. 2. Setting - the time and place in which the events of a story occur. (Includes time period, date, and time of day.) a. January 13, 1966 in Warsaw, Poland b. the early 1800’s in a farming community of England 3. Conflict - a major struggle between opposing characters or forces. The conflict often involves any obstacles the character(s) may face in achieving their goal(s), or whatever it is that they want. These obstacles may be other characters or circumstances. Important in literature since the conflict causes / drives the action. a. Shrek struggles with his identity as an ogre and deals with it by isolating himself in his swamp. When Prince Farquardt banishes the Fairytale Creatures to his swamp, Shrek is forced to interact with others, and sets out on a journey away from home that requires him to deal with others’ attitudes about ogres. b. Jason is confronting his fear of heights by climbing out onto a fire escape to rescue his poodle who jumped out of the window when a bomb exploded on t.v. B. Rising Action This part of the plot is where the conditions or circumstances revealed in the exposition (the characters, setting, conflict) begin to develop, become “active”, or change. Further complications arise with regard to the characters’ struggle(s) and they must think or react in response to these complications. It is in this way that the conflict “drives” the plot. The plot continues to develop and build until the story reaches its biggest, most significant moment. At that moment, an outcome – positive or negative – must be determined. 1. Inciting Incident - the event that brings / brought the conflict “to life” at this time, the thing which “started it all”. This is where the central, main conflict of the story is introduced. a. In Shrek, Prince Farquardt’s act of banishing the Fairytale Creatures to his swamp is THE one action that causes him to have to DO something other than live life like everything is normal. All the events that occur along the way of Shrek’s journey happen as a result of that one act of the Prince. 2. Crisis - the conflict develops and builds throughout the story leading up to a crisis - one significant, ultimate moment of concern, threat, or risk. This is usually the turning point in the plot. 3. Climax - two key factors 1. the story’s most emotional or suspenseful moment a. During a sword fight, the villain has his blade pointed right at the hero’s neck 2. the conflict is decided one way or the other a. The princess shows up to club the villain over the head with a log C. Falling Action This part of the plot follows the climax and leads to the conclusion of the plot. Even though the reader knows the outcome of the conflict and climax, there are still circumstances from the plot that are left unanswered or unexplained. The story is not complete without some explanation. 1. Denouement - includes the resolution and conclusion of the story. The loose ends of the story are tied up and the story is closed. Any explanations, or answers to still remaining questions after the climax are considered part of the denouement. a. Scooby Doo episodes – who did it, but mostly HOW and WHY b. hero and heroine ride off into the sunset FORESHADOWING A. Definition: The use of hints or clues in a narrative to suggest action that is to come IRONY A. When there are unexpected, surprising, or interesting outcomes or twists in literature.(also known as {a.k.a.} Situational Irony) 1. In the “Gift of the Magi”, there is a poor young married couple deeply in love. The girl sells her hair to buy a watch chain for her husband at the same time that her husband sells his watch to buy her expensive hair combs. B. When things are made to look one way when they are actually another way. 1. In “Night Drive”, the author makes the reader think, Eunice was the killer, when in actuality, she was Mr. Taber who intended to save and protect Madge. C. A contrast between what is said and what is actually meant(a.k.a. as Verbal Irony) 1. (While it’s pouring rain outside…) “What a perfect beach day!” 2. (Exhausted after being tested for four hours on the MCAS…) “On, no. I’m not tired. In fact, I’d love to take another MCAS right now. (Verbal irony is much like sarcasm.) MOOD The feeling created in the reader by a literary work. Also referred to as atmosphere. Moods may change drastically during the course of a narrative. (Relate this to your own moods. Something happens that puts you in a certain mood. In a similar way, a story or scene in a story may put you in a certain mood. An author may / will do things in a narrative deliberately to make you feel a certain way, to put you in a certain mood.) SATIRE A. Definition: The intentional degrading of a subject or subjects for comic or dramatic effect. * In other words: Making fun of something on purpose to make a point, add interest, or to add drama. * Satire uses laughter as a "weapon". SYMBOLISM A. Definition: A symbol is something that stands both for / represents itself and for something beyond itself. - Ex. The lion is a traditional symbol of courage. B. Two steps to symbolism 1. WHAT is it that something represents? 2. WHY are the two linked? / What is the CONNECTION between the two? THEME A. Definition: The message or idea about life revealed in a work of literature. TONE The attitude a writer takes toward his / her subject. (Consider a parent or a teacher's "tone of voice". By their tone of voice you can sense how they are feeling about what's on their mind. It is in a different, but similar way, that an AUTHOR'S TONE will give the reader a sense of how that author FEELS about their TOPIC.) ** An author's tone is NOT the same, however, or satisfactorily defined as a tone of voice. It is THROUGH the author's "tone of voice" so to speak that you can hear what their feeling / attitude is. |
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