Literary DevicesLiterary Devices

Grade Eight ReviewGrade Eight Review

Short StoryShort Story

A short story is a narrative A short story is a narrative which: which:

Focuses on a single incident. Focuses on a single incident. Is limited to one specific Is limited to one specific

setting (setting usually stays setting (setting usually stays the same throughout). the same throughout).

Focuses on a limited number Focuses on a limited number of key characters (one or two). of key characters (one or two).

PlotPlot

Arrangement of actions and Arrangement of actions and events in a story. It is a events in a story. It is a series of incidents that series of incidents that produce a dramatic story produce a dramatic story with a beginning, a middle, with a beginning, a middle, and an end.and an end.

Parts of the Plot - 1Parts of the Plot - 1

EXPOSITIONEXPOSITION

- the main character and - the main character and his/her situation is his/her situation is introduced, including the introduced, including the central conflict. central conflict.

Parts of the Plot - 2Parts of the Plot - 2

CONFLICTCONFLICT

- a problem or struggle - a problem or struggle that triggers the action.that triggers the action.

Parts of the Plot - 3Parts of the Plot - 3

RISING ACTIONRISING ACTION

- a series of conflicts or - a series of conflicts or struggles that build a struggles that build a story toward a climax, story toward a climax, leading to leading to

Parts of the Plot - 4Parts of the Plot - 4

The CLIMAXThe CLIMAX

- a high point of suspense, - a high point of suspense, such as a startling revelation, such as a startling revelation, a sudden insight, the turning a sudden insight, the turning point.point.

Parts of the Plot - 5Parts of the Plot - 5

FALLING ACTIONFALLING ACTION

– – events “slow down.” The events “slow down.” The narrative reached its climax narrative reached its climax and is now moving towards and is now moving towards resolution.resolution.

Parts of the Plot - 6Parts of the Plot - 6

The RESOLUTIONThe RESOLUTION

- the conflict is resolved in - the conflict is resolved in some way. some way.

SettingSetting

The environment or The environment or surrounding circumstances in surrounding circumstances in which the story takes place. which the story takes place. Setting is an important Setting is an important element in creating the element in creating the mood. mood.

ConflictConflict The force that moves the plot The force that moves the plot

along and the struggles in which along and the struggles in which the characters are involved. There the characters are involved. There are five basic types of conflict:are five basic types of conflict:Person vs. PersonPerson vs. PersonPerson vs. SocietyPerson vs. SocietyPerson vs. SelfPerson vs. SelfPerson vs. NaturePerson vs. NaturePerson vs. Fate (God)Person vs. Fate (God)

ThemeTheme

The central idea about life The central idea about life that emerges from a piece of that emerges from a piece of literature. literature.

AtmosphereAtmosphere

The overall emotional The overall emotional impression of a story. The impression of a story. The author creates an author creates an atmosphere, or mood, by atmosphere, or mood, by developing a strong sense of developing a strong sense of place and time place and time

Point of ViewPoint of View

The viewpoint from which the The viewpoint from which the author tells the story. author tells the story. (Usually first or third (Usually first or third person). person).

Characterization/Characterization/Character DevelopmentCharacter Development

Method used by the author to Method used by the author to reveal or describe characters reveal or describe characters and their various and their various personalities. Also, how personalities. Also, how characters change and characters change and develop in the story.develop in the story.

Characterization/Characterization/Character DevelopmentCharacter Development

The character is usually revealed The character is usually revealed to the reader through the to the reader through the following:following:

1.1. What the character says. What the character says.

2.2. What the character does. What the character does.

3.3. What other characters say about What other characters say about him/her. him/her.

4.4. Description. Description.

ProtagonistProtagonist

The main character or hero The main character or hero in a story, novel, or play. in a story, novel, or play.

AntagonistAntagonist

The character who struggles The character who struggles or fights against the or fights against the protagonist. protagonist.

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

Clues and hints of what is to Clues and hints of what is to come later in the story. come later in the story.

FlashbackFlashback

A return to an earlier time (in A return to an earlier time (in a story) for the purpose of a story) for the purpose of expanding on or explaining expanding on or explaining something in the present. something in the present.

FoilFoil

A character who serves as a A character who serves as a contrast or challenge to contrast or challenge to another (usually the main) another (usually the main) character. The purpose of the character. The purpose of the foil character is to emphasize foil character is to emphasize the traits of the main character the traits of the main character by comparison or contrast.by comparison or contrast.

ImageryImagery

The words or phrases a The words or phrases a writer selects to create a writer selects to create a certain picture in the certain picture in the reader’s mind. reader’s mind.

NarratorNarrator

The person who is telling the The person who is telling the story (also referred to as story (also referred to as “voice”). “voice”).

SymbolSymbol

A person, place, thing or an A person, place, thing or an event used to represent event used to represent something else, usually something else, usually larger and more important larger and more important than the symbol itself. than the symbol itself.