The document defines various literary terms related to characters, conflicts, and story elements. It discusses internal and external conflicts, character development through direct characterization and indirect characterization, plot, point of view, symbolism, tone, evidence, diction, description, inference, and prediction. Examples are provided to illustrate each term.

2. Conflict is a fight, battle, or struggle, which is
usually prolonged.
There are two types of conflicts that
characters may face
› Internal
› External

3. A psychological struggle within the mind of a literary
or dramatic character, the resolution of which
creates the plot's suspense.
Example:
“To be, or not to be; that is the question.”

4. A struggle between a
literary or dramatic
character and an
outside force such
as nature or another
character, which
drives the dramatic
action of the plot.
› Common types of
external conflicts:
Man v. man
Man v. nature
Man v. technology
Man v. the
supernatural
Man v. society
Man v. destiny

5. Examples:
› Katniss Everdeen has to fight against the other
participants in the Hunger Games in order to stay
alive.
This is an example of man v. man conflict.
› Katniss Everdeen has to participate in the
Hunger Games because the government
demands a tribute.
This is an example of man v. society.

6. A technique of indicating, as through
character or plot development, an intention
or attitude opposite to that which is actually
or ostensibly stated.
› There are different types of irony
Situational irony
Dramatic irony

7. Irony involving a situation in which actions
have an effect that is opposite from what
was intended, so that the outcome is
contrary to what was expected.
Example:
› A police station is robbed.

8. Irony that is inherent in speeches or a
situation of a drama and is understood by
the audience but not grasped by the
characters in the play.
› Basically, dramatic irony is when the audience
knows something that the character does not.
Example:
› In Toy Story, the toys move when people are not
around. The audience knows this, but Andy and
his mom don’t.

9. The process by which the personality of a
fictitious character is revealed by the use of
descriptive adjectives, phrases, or epithets.
› The author tells you specifics about the
character.
Example:
› Clifford was a big, red dog.

10. The process by which the personality of a
fictitious character is revealed through the
character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.
› The author implies things about the reader. He or
she tells you without actually telling you.
Example:
› “I jumped up, knocking over my chair, and had
reached the door when Mama called, 'Pick up that
chair, sit down again, and say excuse me.” (“Scarlet
Ibis”)

11. How can we learn about a character’s traits? STEAL
› 1. Speech: What does the character say and how does he or
she speak?
› 2. Thoughts: What is shown about the character through his or
her private thoughts and feelings?
› 3. Effect: What effect does the character have on other people?
How do they feel or react to him or her?
› 4. Actions: What does the character do? How does the
character act in different situations?
› 5. Looks: What does the character's appearance say about his
or her personality?

12. The plan, scheme, or main story of a literary
or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short
story.
Example:
› Star Wars: A New Hope is about a boy who
learns that his father was a Jedi knight.

13. The position of the narrator in relation to the
story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook from
which the events are depicted and by the
attitude toward the characters.
› There are several types of points of view
First person
Second person
Third person
Omniscient
Limited Omniscient

14. The story is narrated by a character who
participates in the story.
› We need to question the validity of this narrator’s
perspective because he or she may not be
objective.
› If the narrator is too subjective, he or she is said
to be unreliable.
Example:
› I’m so fancy; you already know. I’m in the fast
lane from L.A. to Tokyo.

15. Hardly ever used, this point of view
addresses the main character as “you.”
› Mostly used in self-help books and recipes.
› Don’t use it….like ever.
Example:
› Next, you place the cookies in the oven.

16. Narrator does not participate in the action of
the story, but can comment on the feelings of
the characters.
Example
› Miss Cifu: When Miss Cifu was making this
PowerPoint for you, she had some trouble
coming up with examples.

17. Omniscient: Narrator knows everything
about all the characters. He or she is all-
knowing.
Limited omniscient: The narrator knows
everything there is to know about one
character.

18. The practice of representing things by
symbols, or of investing things with a
symbolic meaning or character.
› An object (usually) that represents something
else.
Example:
› A wedding ring symbolizes marriage.

19. A writer’s distinctive “sound” or way of
speaking.

20. That which tends to prove or disprove
something
Example:
› This video provides audio and visual evidence in
response to a claim.
› http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_DVvNK7mR
A

21. Style of speaking or writing as dependent
upon choice of words
› Simply put, diction is word choice.
Example:
› Formal diction: Hello, everyone.
› Informal diction: Hey, y’all!

22. A statement, picture in words, or account
that describes.
Example:
› Shawty had them Apple Bottom jeans and those
boots with the fur, and the whole club was
looking at her.

23. A conclusion reached on the basis of
evidence and reasoning.
Example:
› Original statement: I came in like a wrecking
ball.
› Inference: Miley did some damage.

24. A statement about what will happen or might
happen in the future.
› Example:
I predict that we will be studying short stories after
today.

25. "Dictionary.com - Free Online English
Dictionary." . N.p., n.d. Web. 23 July 2014.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/>.