Slide 1

Any literary work meant to be read, viewed, or otherwise experienced by an audience (includes stories, plays, films, music, articles, television shows, speeches, and others).

Slide 2

The central message or idea of a text. Theme should Always be a statement (revenge, love, etc. are NOT themes)

Slide 3

Any situation which creates tension, doubt, apprehension or dread within the reader or audience.

Slide 4

The sequence of events within a text. (Theme is not plot!)

Slide 5

The location or backdrop in which a text takes place; setting will include both the time and place at which a story takes place.

Slide 6

Events, dialogue, or descriptions (overt or implied) which help to further our understandings of a character.

Slide 7

The hero or central character within a text; the character whose story is told by the author.

Slide 8

The villain or major obstructing force which works against the protagonist on his journey.

Slide 9

The perspective from which a story is told or an event is experienced.

Slide 10

A symbol, characteristic, or other idea which a text presents over and over again.

Slide 11

A situation or statement which differs from what is expected.

Slide 12

Descriptive or dramatic language which refers to the senses (all senses, not simply vision)

Slide 13

Overstatement of a situation or description, usually for dramatic effect.

Slide 14

A classification of texts which share certain characteristics in general.

Slide 15

Events, dialogue, or description which seems to suggest or hint at events which may arise later in the text.

Slide 16

Poetic language used to artfully represent an idea for the reader. Usually, Figurative Language describes language which is not meant to be taken literally.

Slide 17

Words spoken between characters within a text, usually (but not always) delineated with quotation marks.

Slide 18

Problems which arise within a text, usually describing obstacles on the Protagonists journey.

Slide 19

Repetition of the sounds which begin words within a sentence or passage.

Slide 20

In academic writing, an authors central point and plan of attack for proving that point.

Slide 21

A statement or situation which seems to contradict itself or which should be impossible.

Slide 22

A reference to another text, best when the text referred to is well- known by an audience.

Slide 23

An overt comparison between two different concepts, usually using the words like or so.

Slide 24

An implied comparison between two different concepts, often using the verb to be (but not always).

Slide 25

The authors specific word choice & vocabulary within a text

Slide 26

The authors vehicle for telling a story; the voice which tells a story. Not necessarily the same as the author himself (especially when used for ironic purposes).

Slide 27

Specific and usually repeating patterns of rhyme within stanzas or an entire work, not necessarily limited to poetry.

Slide 28

The authors feeling toward his subject, usually communicated through the authors diction.

Slide 29

An object, person or setting which takes on added significance due to the way it is presented or positioned within a text. Often, symbols are representative of bigger ideas, and/or are tied to the theme.

Slide 30

A situation in which two or more ideas or objects are presented in conjunction with one another, often for dramatic or ironic effect.