english - narrative devices

• alliteration


  the repetition of sounds, most often consonant sounds, at the beginnings of words, which gives emphasis to words
• allusion


  a reference in a work of literature to a characters, place, or situation from history or from another work of literature, music, or art
• analogy


  a comparison based on a similarity between things that are otherwise dissimilar. may be used to explain something abstract or unfamiliar
• antagonist


  the person in conflict with the main character
• climax


  the emotional high point of the story
• conflict


  a struggle between opposing forces in a story or play
• connotation


  the suggested or implied meanings associated with a word beyond its dictionary definition
• denotation


  the literal or dictionary meaning of a word
• dialogue


  written conversation between characters in a literary work
• exposition


  introduces the story's characters, setting, and conflict
• falling action


  the action that follows the climax in a story plot
• figurative language


  language or expressions that are not literally true but express some truth beyond the literal level
• flashback


  an account of an event that happened before a story began.  interrupts the chronological sequence of a story events, but gives readers information that may help explain the main events of the story
• foil


  a character whose traits contrast with those of another characters.  a writer calls attention to the strengths or weaknesses of a main character through this
• foreshadowing


  author's use of clues that hint at events that will occur later in the plot
• hyperbole


  a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor
• imagery


  the “word pictures” the writers create to help evoke an emotional response.  To create effective images, writers use sensory details, or descriptions that appeal to one or more of the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell
• irony


  a contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality, or between what is expected and what actually happens
• dramatic irony


  the audience has important information that characters in a literary work do not have
• situational irony


  the actual outcome of a situation is the opposite of someone’s expectations
• verbal irony


  a person says one things and means another
• juxtaposition


  the placing of elements side by side or close together, especially for contrast or comparison.  It serves to emphasize the elements (ex. sweet and sour sauce)
• metaphor


  a figure of speech that directly compares two or more things that have something in common without using "like" or "as"
• mood


  the feeling or atmosphere in a literary work established through diction, line length, rhythm, or figurative devices. can suggest a specific emotion (ex. fear) or the quality of a setting (ex. calm)
• onomatopoeia


  the use of a word or phrase that imitates or suggests the sound of what it describes, such as buzz, murmur, swish
• oxymoron


  a figure of speech consisting of two seemingly contradictory terms
• parody


  a humorous imitation of another, usually serious work. Behavior, customs, literature, or music can all be parodied
• personification


  a figure of speech in which an animal, object, force of nature, or idea is given human qualities or characteristics
• plot


  the sequence of events in a narrative work
• Point Of View (POV)


  the relationship of the narrator to the story
• 1st person POV


  the story is told by one of the characters, referred to as "I". The reader generally sees everything through that characters eyes
• 3rd person POV (limited)


  the narrator is outside the story and reveals the thoughts of only one character, but refers to that character as “he” or “she.”
• 3rd person POV (omniscient)


  the narrator is outside the story and knows everything about the characters and events
• protagonist


  the central character in a story
• resolution


  shows how the conflict is resolved or how the problem is solved
• rising action


  the part of a plot where complications to the conflict develop and increase reader interest
• sarcasm


  a cutting gibe or rebuke often delivered in a tone of contempt or disgust
• satire


  writing that exposes and ridicules the vices or follies of people or societies
• setting


  time and place in which a story happens
• simile


  a comparison using “like” or “as.”