Literary Terminology

Story Map: a graphic representation of the events of a story.

Exposition: The beginning of a story or novel. This is where the characters, setting, and the first conflict are usually introduced.

Climax: The highest point of action in a story or novel.

Rising Action: The plot of the story advances.

Falling Action: The story begins to wind down.

Resolution: The conflict of the story is resolved.

Setting: The time and place of a story or novel.

Example: Where the Red Fern Grows setting is during the Depression (1930’s) in the Ozark Mountains.

Chronological Order: presents ideas according to the time in which they occurred. This type of organization is especially effective if you are describing a process, relaying a series of actions, or telling a story. For instance, to convey the plot of a novel or the procedures of an experiment, you would tell readers what happened first, second, etc.

Protagonist: The hero or heroine of a story or novel. This is the main character to who the action and plot of the story or novel revolve around. The protagonist does not have to be a good character. The protagonist can be an animal.

Antagonist: The force or forces working against the protagonist of a story. There can be more than one antagonist in a story. The antagonist isn’t necessarily a character. It can be a force of nature, society, etc.

Story Maps

  1. What is a chronological list of events in a story?
  1. A list that shows the events of a story in the order of their location.
  2. A list that shows the events of a story in the order that they occur in time.
  3. A list that shows the events of the story in the order of least importance to the greatest importance
  4. A list that shows the events of the story in the order of greatest importance to the least importance
  1. In what part of the story map are the characters, setting and the first conflict introduced?
  1. exposition
  2. rising action
  3. climax
  4. falling action
  5. resolution
  1. In what part of the story map is the conflict resolved?
  1. exposition
  2. rising action
  3. climax
  4. falling action
  5. resolution
  1. In what part of the story map does the action wind down?
  1. exposition
  2. rising action
  3. climax
  4. falling action
  5. resolution
  1. In what part of the story map does the highest point of action occur?
  1. exposition
  2. rising action
  3. climax
  4. falling action
  5. resolution
  1. In what part of the story map does the plot advance?
  1. exposition
  2. rising action
  3. climax
  4. falling action
  5. resolution
  1. What are the two parts of setting in a story?
  1. What is the difference between the protagonist and the antagonist of a story?
  1. What is a story map?

Point of View

Point of View: The perspective that a piece of writing is written in.

First Person: Written in the I voice. Example: I couldn’t believe that my parents were actually going to make me marry a troll.

Second Person: Written in the You voice. Example: You couldn’t believe that your parents were actually going to make you marry a troll.

Third Person: Written in the He/She/It voice. Example: She couldn’t believe that her parents were actually going to make her marry a troll.

Third Person Limited: In this point of view, a narrator zooms in on the thoughts and feelings of just one character in the story. This point of view helps us share that character’s reactions to the story’s events.

Example: The princess tried desperately to get out of her promise. “It was all my parents’ fault,” she thought. They were so unfair.

Omniscient: Omnis in Latin means “all” and sciens means “knowing”. The all knowing point of view. The omniscient narrator looks down on the action like a god. This narrator can tell you everything about all the characters, even their most private thoughts.

Example: Once upon a time there lived a princess who would have been perfectly happy except for one thing. In a moment of weakness, she had promised to marry a frog. Her father felt sorry for her, but he insisted that she keep her word. (In fact, he was a little nervous-he’d never met a talking frog before.)

Foreshadowing and Flashback

Foreshadowing: is the author’s use of clues to hint at what might happen later in a story. For example, the description of a dark cloud in a story might foreshadow something bad that is about to happen. Foreshadowing helps build suspense, the quality that keeps you wondering what will happen next.

Flashback is a scene that interrupts a story to describe an earlier event. Writers use flashback to show something about a character’s past. For example, a flashback about a happy childhood journey might explain why an adult character loves to travel.

Conflict: A problem, either internal or external that a character has to work through.

Types of Conflict

1. Internal Conflict

Person vs. Self: Conflict inside of the character’s mind. For example, the character might doubt his/her/its ability to accomplish something.

2. External Conflict

Person vs. Person: A conflict between the main character and another character. Example: Red Riding Hood vs. The Big Bad Wolf

Person vs. Society: A conflict between the main character and two or more other characters. Example: Billy vs. the Town Children in Where the Red Fern Grows.

Person vs. Nature: A conflict between the main character and nature. Example: Dorothy is swept away by a tornado in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Person vs. Technology: A conflict between the main character and some type of technology. Example: Humans vs. robots.

Person vs. Fate/God: A conflict between the main character and a supernatural event, circumstance, or God. Example: Job is tested by God in the bible.

  1. Fiction vs. Non Fiction

Characteristics of fiction

*They include made-up people or animals called characters and a made-up series of events called the plot.

  • Fictional works take place in a time and location, or setting, which may or may not be real.
  • They are told by a speaker called the narrator.
  • Fiction is told from a certain perspective, or point of view. First=person point of view is the perspective of a character in the story. Third-person point of view is the perspective of a narrator outside the story.
  • Fiction often includes a theme, or message about life.

Types of Fiction

Novels: are long works of fiction. A novel has a plot in which characters face a problem in a specific time and place. In addition to its main plot, a novel may introduce subplots, or minor stories within the larger story.

Novellas: are works of fiction that are longer than short stories but shorter than novels.

Short stories: are brief works of fiction. Like a novel, a short story has characters, a setting, and a plot. Unlike a novel, it has a single conflict and is meant to be read in one sitting.

Characteristics of Nonfiction

Nonfiction works differ from fiction in a few important ways.

*Nonfiction writings deal only with real people, events, or ideas.

*They are narrated, or told, from the author’s perspective, or point of view. Nonfiction works have a specific tone that reflects the writer’s attitude toward a subject.

* Nonfiction reflects an author’s purpose, or reason for writing. This might be to explain, persuade, inform, or entertain.

Types of Nonfiction

Biographies tell the story of someone’s life. A biography is usually told from the third-person point of view.

Autobiographies tell the story of the author’s life. An autobiography is told from the first-person point of view.

Letters are written forms of communication from one person to another. A letter might share information, thoughts, or feelings.

Journals and diaries are records of daily events and the writer’s thoughts and feelings about them.

Essays are brief written works based on a particular subject.

Informational texts are the documents we come across in everyday life, including instructions and newspaper articles.

Speeches are works that are delivered orally to an audience.

Genre: is a category of literary composition. Genres may be determined byliterary technique,tone,content, or even (as in the case of fiction) length.

Fiction

Narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact.

All Fiction

Drama

Stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

Fable

Narration demonstrating a useful truth, especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary, supernatural tale.

Fairy Tale

Story about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children. Includes clear forces of good and evil.

Fantasy

Fiction with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality.

Fiction in Verse

Full-length novels with plot, subplot(s), theme(s), major and minor characters, in which the narrative is presented in (usually blank) verse form.

Folklore

The songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a people or "folk" as handed down by word of mouth.

Historical Fiction

Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.

Horror

Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader.

Humor

Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain; but can be contained in all genres

Legend

Story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, which has a basis in fact but also includes imaginative material.

Mystery

Fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.

Mythology

Legend or traditional narrative, often based in part on historical events, that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions of the gods.

Poetry

Verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that creates emotional responses.

Realistic Fiction

Fictional story that can actually happen and is true to life. Real characters, real setting, real conflicts.

Science Fiction

Story based on impact of actual, imagined, or potential science, usually set in the future or on other planets.

Short Story

Fiction of such brevity that it supports no subplots.

Tall Tale

Humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with nonchalance.

Nonfiction

Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life subject.

All Nonfiction

Biography/Autobiography

Narrative of a person's life, a true story about a real person.

Essay

A short literary composition that reflects the author's outlook or point.

Manual

Step by step information to help operate something

Memoir

A personal narrative story that is true and based on fact.

Newspaper

Reports current events

Narrative Nonfiction

Factual information presented in a format which tells a story.

Speech

Public address or discourse.

Textbook

Informative prose and graphics based on specific topics. Structure essays divided into chapters, sections, or parts.

Genres

  1. What is the difference between fiction and nonfiction?
  1. fiction is lying and nonfiction is truth
  2. fiction is based on imagination and nonfiction is based on real-life and facts
  3. fiction is just stories and nonfiction is just textbooks
  1. Categorize the following genres into either fiction or nonfiction.
  • science fiction*speech*textbooks
  • biography*folklore*manual
  • fantasy*historical fiction*tall tale
  • realistic fiction*myth*memoir
  • essay*autobiography*fairy tale

Fiction / Nonfiction
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* / *
*
*
*
*
*
*
  1. What genre reports current events?
  1. realistic fiction
  2. historical fiction
  3. textbooks
  4. newspaper
  1. What genre is an imagined story that has realistic characters, setting, and conflicts?
  1. realistic fiction
  2. historical fiction
  3. textbooks
  4. newspaper
  1. What genre often includes gods and often explains human behavior or natural phenomena?
  1. folktale
  2. legend
  3. myth
  4. tall tale
  1. What genre often includes exaggerations and super heroes that perform feats with nonchalance and ease?
  1. folktale
  2. legend
  3. myth
  4. tall tale
  1. What genre is a nonfiction literary composition that reflects the author's outlook or point of view?
  1. essay
  2. manual
  3. memoir
  4. textbook
  1. What genre is a nonfiction narrative story based on the author’s life or experience?
  1. essay
  2. manual
  3. memoir
  4. textbook
  1. What genre creates a sense of dread in the reader?
  1. myth
  2. legend
  3. horror
  4. tall tale
  1. What genre is a fictional story based on a historical setting or event?
  1. fantasy
  2. realistic fiction
  3. biography
  4. historical fiction

“7th Grade”

by: Gary Soto

  1. What two languages does Victor already speak?
  1. English and French
  2. English and Spanish
  3. Spanish and French
  4. French and Italian
  1. How did Victor and his family earn money to buy fall clothing?
  1. What is the setting for the story “7th Grade”? Please give both the time period and the location.

Time Period:

Place:

  1. What did Michael infer from looking at GQ magazines?
  1. Models hang around beautiful women.
  2. Models have fancy cars.
  3. Models get women by scowling.
  4. Models are in magazines.

4.. On the way to his homeroom, Victor tried a scowl. He felt foolish, until out of the corner of

his eye he saw a girl looking at him. Umm, he thought, maybe it does work. He scowled with

greaterconviction.

Based on the above passage what does the underlined word conviction mean?

  1. belief
  2. right
  3. ability
  4. talent
  1. Please list three things Victor does in the story to show he likes Teresa.

a.

b.

c.

  1. Please summarize what Victor does in French class to impress Teresa.
  1. What is the climax of the story “7th Grade”?
  1. Victor talks to Teresa
  2. Teresa wants Victor to help her in French.
  3. Victor waits to see if Mr. Bueller is going to blow his cover.
  4. Victor embarrasses himself in French class.
  1. What is the resolution of the story “7th grade”?
  1. Victor pretends to know French
  2. Mr. Bueller punishes Victor

c. Teresa asks Victor to help her in French class

d. Victor scowls at Teresa

  1. What genre is the story “7th Grade”?
  1. What point of view is the story “7th Grade” written in?

Constructed Response. Please answer the following question. Remember to include the following in your answer. (10 pts)

  1. Hook
  2. Restate the question.
  3. Include the author and the title of the story.
  4. Quote from the story.
  5. Text Connection.
  6. Answer all parts of the question.
  7. Fill all the lines!

In the story “7th Grade” Mr. Bueller knows that Victor can’t speak French. Why doesn’t he blow Victor’s cover? Would you have blown Victor’s cover if you were Mr. Bueller? Why or why not?

______

“Duffy’s Jacket”

by: Bruce Coville

  1. Which of the following sentences is an opinion?
  1. I found a message scrawled on the wall.
  2. But as far as I’m concerned, Duffy makes a turnip look bright.
  3. It was late because we had lost an hour going back to get Duffy’s suitcase.
  4. We decided to go out for another walk.
  1. Based on the title, which of the following do you predict what will happen in the story?
  1. The story will involve many people.
  2. The story will be about animals.
  3. The story will have a jacket playing a central role.
  4. The story will be at the beach.
  1. What can you infer about how the children were feeling from the following sentence: “We huddled together in the middle of the room, trying to think of what to do?” pg. 10.
  1. The children feel threatened.
  2. The children feel cold.
  3. The children feel like cuddling together.
  4. The children are feeling playful.
  1. Why does the author use onomatopoeia words, sound effects, to describe the creature that is outside of the cabin on pg. 10?
  1. To add detail to the story.
  2. To add suspense to the story.
  3. To add foreshadowing to the story.
  4. To add a flashback to the story.
  1. Which sentence best shows that the narrator is nervous?
  1. Don’t bloodhounds have to have something to give them a scent?
  2. I never saw so many spiders in my life.
  3. Personally, I thought camping was a big mistake.
  4. My stomach rolled over, and the skin at the back of my neck started to prickle.
  1. Paraphrase what the narrator means when he says, “But as far as I’m concerned, Duffy makes a turnip look bright.”
  1. What caused the family to be late arriving at the cabin?
  1. Summarize how the Sentinel used Duffy’s jacket to find the children?
  1. What conclusion can you draw from the statement, “Non one has had to remind Duffy to remember his jacket, or his glasses, or his math book for at least a year now.” ?
  1. Duffy found a new method to organize him self.
  2. Duffy was tired of the narrator getting mad at him.
  3. Duffy has a better memory.
  4. Duffy learned his lesson from his experience with the Sentinel.
  1. Which sentence best states the main idea of the story?
  1. After all, when you leave stuff lying around, you never can be sure just who might bring it back.
  2. Personally, I thought camping was a big mistake.
  3. If my cousin Duffy had the brains of a turnip it never would have happened.
  4. That’s why it doesn’t make sense for them to try and do man-stuff with us.
  1. What genre is “Duffy’s Jacket”?

12. What point of view is “Duffy’s Jacket” written in?

Constructed Response. Please answer the following question. Remember to include the following in your answer. (10 pts)

  1. Hook
  2. Restate the question.
  3. Include the author and the title of the story.
  4. Quote from the story.
  5. Text Connection.
  6. Answer all parts of the question.
  7. Fill all the lines!

Duffy’s forgetfulness causes problems for many characters in the story “Duffy’s Jacket”. Explain three different effects his forgetfulness has on the other characters in the story?

______

“Rikki-tikki-tavi”

by: Rudyard Kipling