Name ______
Vocabulary for Literature
Ø Purpose in writing- The reason why you are writing. Authors have different motivating factors behind their writing. It could be to persuade, entertain, or to inform their readers. Their purpose could also be to describe a person, place, thing or event to their readers.
Ø Characterization – the act of creating and developing character. There are two types.
ü Direct characterization, the author directly states or tells a character’s traits.
ü Indirect characterization, the author can show what a character looks like, does, and says, and how other characters react to him or her. The reader must draw conclusions about the character based on this indirect information.
Ø Dialogue – a conversation between characters. It is used to develop characterization and action. Quotation marks are used to indicate a speaker’s words.
Ø Flashback – a section of a literary work that interrupts the sequence of events to relate an event from an earlier time.
Ø Foreshadowing – the use of clues that suggest events that haven’t happened yet. The use of this technique helps create suspense.
Ø First person point of view – occurs when a character tells the story. The narrator may be a major or minor character or just a witness. The reader only sees what this character sees, hears only what this character hears, knows only what this character finds out/knows, etc. The first person point of view may not be reliable.
Ø Third person point of view – occurs when a voice outside of the story narrates. There are two types of third person:
ü Omniscient (all knowing; knows everything about anyone and everything), and
ü Limited (knows only what one character sees and thinks).
Ø Tone- the attitude or style of expression used to write.
Ø Mood- the general feeling in a story. It refers to the emotion or emotions a writer makes a reader feel. Writers create atmosphere or mood by using imagery and vivid descriptions.
Ø Character – a person, animal, or creature who takes part in the action of a literary work.
ü Main characters are the most important in the story, poem, or play.
ü Minor characters may take part in the actions, but are not the center of attention.
ü Static characters have one or two traits that never change throughout the story.
ü Dynamic characters’ personalities change throughout the story due to things that happen in the story.
Ø Protagonist – the main character or most important character in a story. This character often changes in some important way as a result of the story’s events.
Ø Antagonist – the character who opposes (goes against) the main character.
Ø Climax – the highest point of interest or suspense (part of the plot structure).
Ø Conflict – a struggle between opposing forces. Characters in conflict form the basis of the story, novel, poem, or play. There are two kinds of conflict:
ü Internal (character against self)
ü External (character against another individual, nature or society). A story may have both.
Ø Plot – the sequence of events in a literary work.
Ø Exposition – the part of the work that introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation (part of the plot structure).
Ø Setting – the time and place of the action. It could be specific (Sterling, VA in the year 1872) or vague (present time in the south).
Ø Initiating event – introduces the central conflict (part of the plot structure).
Ø Rising action – all of the events that lead up to the climax that build suspense (part of the plot structure).
Ø Falling action – actions that tie up loose ends and lead to the resolution (end) of the central conflict (part of the plot structure).
Ø Resolution (denoument) – the final events that end a work of fiction (part of the plot structure).
Ø Theme – a central message or insight into life revealed throughout the literary work. It is a generalization about people or life that is communicated through the story. The theme may be stated directly or implied. There is usually no single correct statement of a work’s theme, although there may be incorrect ones.
Purpose in writing- The reason why you are writing. Authors have different motivating factors behind their writing. It could be to persuade, entertain, or to inform their readers. Their purpose could also be to describe a person, place, thing or event to their readers
4. A pamphlet on a woman running for Senator and all her qualities.
Author’s Purpose:______
5. A poem that focuses in on one topic and lists every detail.
Author’s Purpose:______
Characterization Notes
Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization.
· Direct characterization: The author tells the reader what the personality of the character is. Example: Billy was a shy boy, who always wanted friends, but he didn’t have any friends.
· Indirect characterization: The author shows things that reveal the personality of a character. The reader must make inferences about the character based on this information. Example: Billy looked across the playground and shuffled his feet. Those other boys seemed to be having fun. He thought about going over there to play, but he decided to try tomorrow instead.
Why do we need characterization?
· A story only feels real if the characters feel real.
· When readers feel a connection to the characters, they want to keep reading.
· If you can understand or relate to a character, you can make inferences about them.
· Their personalities might help you understand the reasons a character does something. This is also called “motive.”
To identify character traits, start with STEAL.
Speech / What does the character say in his/her dialogue? How does the character speak?Thoughts / What is revealed through the character’s thoughts and feelings?
Effect on others / What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
Actions / What does the character do? How does the character behave?
Looks / What does the character look like? How does the character dress?
After you answer these questions about a character, you can make an inference or draw a conclusion about his/her personality. Common character traits (personality traits) are:
· Brave
· Studious
· Bossy
· Gentle
· Loving
· Proud
List 5 character traits of your best friend:
Characterization Graphic Organizer Activity
You will use these answers and plug them into your little person graphic organizer.
Directions: Define the following terms in your own words.
· Characterization:______
· Direct Characterization: ______
· Indirect Characterization: ______
Directions: Choose one character from your class novel.
· Which character do you choose? ______
Directions: Brainstorm character traits for the person you choose from the novel.
· List 4 direct character traits here:
o 1.
o 2.
o 3.
o 4.
· List 5 indirect character traits here:
o 1.
o 2.
o 3.
o 4.
o 5.
Directions: Write one character trait on each body part.
· Write the DIRECT character traits on the hands and feet.
· Write the INDIRECT character traits on the arms, legs, and chest. Use complete sentences.
· Color your final product. Draw a face and hair. Put the name of your character on the forehead.
· You may use your book to help you.
Writing Dialogue
Use quotation marks (“ “) to show the exact words of a speaker. It is often more effective to use dialogue rather than telling the reader what has happened.
“There is an exam today,” said Tom testily.
Tom said testily, “There is an exam today.”
Notice that a comma separates the quotation from the speaker. The comma always comes before the quotation mark.
Use a question mark or exclamation mark instead of a comma, if it is a question or has emotion.
“What was I supposed to buy?” Jean asked.
“It is 110 degrees in the shade!” Sue shouted.
If a quotation is divided in a sentence use commas to separate the quotation from the speaker.
“My bicycle tire,” Pete remarked flatly, “needs air.”
If a divided quotation is two sentences, use a period after the speaker. Capitalize the second sentence.
“It is fun to go camping,” Larry remarked. “The wilderness is so peaceful.”
Begin a new paragraph each time the speaker chances.
“I’m making some lunch,” said Pam’s mother.
“Actually,” replied Pam, “I’m going to Susie’s house for lunch.”
Activity: A character’s speech should be appropriate for that character.
Circle which line below would be most appropriate for a wealthy older woman who is very mean.
“Sue, why must I always remind you to bring my tea?”
“Sue, would you please bring my tea?”
Write dialogue that the following characters would be likely to say for each situation. Remember to include quotation marks around the dialogue.
1. An evil witch threatens a young boy. ______
2. A shy boy asks a girl on a date.______
3. A mean old man tells a child to stay off his lawn.______
4. A snobby child demands another toy.______
5. A boy who is afraid of dogs is being chased by a collie. ______
Forward and Back
Foreshadowing and flashback are two literary elements authors use to help readers understand a story’s pot. Foreshadowing is the use of clues to suggest something that is going to happen. It can be hinted through characters’ dialogue and actions. This creates excitement for the reader. Flashbacks are interruptions in the story’s sequence of events (plot) which take the reader back to an earlier time. A flashback allows the reader to understand something that happened in the past. It helps the reader piece together fragments of the plot.
Activity: Read each part of a story below. Write FL for flashback or FOR for foreshadowing.
1.______The carefree boy sailed toward the distant shore, unaware of the dark clouds forming behind him. He whistled his favorite tune and through about the fun day he had planned on the island.
2.____ Sue loved Jason. As she accepted his proposal, she decided to ignore the nagging voice in her head that suggested that perhaps he was too good to be true.
3.____ The day of the race had finally arrived. Ken stood nervously waiting for the pop of the starter gun. Just ten days ago he hadn’t been sure he’d ever be able to run again. It all began when he deiced to take a quick jog to the convenience store.
4. ___As I walked onto the stage to receive my diploma, I though back to the day I first set eyes on the University’s campus. It was a sunny August day, and I felt nervous as most freshmen feel when arriving at a new school.
What do foreshadowing and flashback have in common?
How are foreshadowing and flashback different?
Point of View
First Person Point of View· The narrator is one of the characters in the story.
· First person pronouns, such as I, me, my, and mine are used in telling the story.
· Since the narrator is a character in the story, he/she may not be completely reliable.
· We find out only what this character knows, thinks, and witnesses.
Third Person Limited
· The narrator is not a character in the story.
· Third person pronouns such as he, his, she, hers, it, its, they, and them are used.
· The narrator tells the story from the vantage point of one character.
· The narrator can see into this character’s mind, but not any of the other characters.
· We find out only what this character does, knows, thinks, and witnesses.
Third Person Omniscient
· The narrator is not a character in the story.
· Third person pronouns such as he, his, she, hers, it, its, they, and them are used in telling the story.
· The narrator is all-knowing, and can see into the minds of all of the characters. The
narrator can also report what is said and done.
· We find out what all of the characters do, feel, think, and witness.
Fairy-tale Re-write!
Directions: choose a fairy-tale/short story from the list provided below, and re-tell the story from a unique point-of-view.
Cinderella (suggestion: from an evil step sister’s POV)
Aladdin (suggestion: the lamp’s POV)
Robin Hood (suggestion: from a rich person’s POV)
Beauty and the Beast (suggestion: from the beast’s POV)
Jack and the Beanstalk (suggestion: from the beanstalk’s POV)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (suggestion: from the mirror’s POV or the queen’s POV)
The Tortoise and the Hare (suggestion: from an observer’s POV)
The Princess and the Frog (suggestion: from the frog’s POV)
Little Red Riding Hood (suggestion: from the grandmother’s POV)
l Try to use indirect characterization instead of direct characterization as often as possible.
l Please write the point-of-view you are using (first person, third-person limited, or third-person omniscient) on the top of your paper. You must stick to that point-of-view throughout your story!
l You may work individually or with a partner. If you work with a partner, you must talk quietly.