Point of ViewThe Perspective from which a story is told.

1st person “I” “me”

2nd person “you”

Limited 3rd person “he” “she”

Omniscient 3rd person

“he”All-knowing

What is the point of view in Flowers for Algernon?

Point of view2nd person

Close your eyes. Imagine that you are on a beach. You hear the waves. You feel the wet sand enveloping your feet as your toes sink deeper and deeper into the grains. You can smell the salt of the sea as the waves lick gently at your ankles.

Point of view3rd person

He closes his eyes, and imagines that he is on a beach. He hears waves and feels the wet sand enveloping his feet as his toes sink deeper and deeper into the grains. He can smell the salt of the sea as the waves lick gently at his ankles.

ImageryThe words or phrases a writer uses to represent persons, objects, feelings , and ideas descriptively by appealing to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

Example: Charlie stares at him, the smile melting from his face. This is on page 61.

AllegoryWhen the characters, setting, or events stand for other people or events, or for abstract ideas or qualities.

StyleThe way something is written – diction (word choice), tone, syntax (grammatical choices).

•Word choice

•Spelling/grammar mistakes

•Progress Reports

MotifA reoccurring element in a literary work; a pattern or strand of imagery of symbolism in a work of literature.

Example: Literature is a motif in The Outsiders.

In Inception, the difference between

waking and dreaming is a motif.

CharacterizationThe methods used by an author to create a character. Includes:

• Direct-The author tells you how a character acts, looks, thinks, about family, friends, hobbies, etc.

• Indirect- We learn about a character though his actions, thoughts, what he says, what others say or think about him.

What kinds of characterization is used in Flowers for Algernon?

OxymoronA form of paradox that combines a pair of opposite terms into a single unusual expression.

•Great Depression•Jumbo shrimp•Clearly confused•Act naturally•Pretty ugly

•Original copy•Awfully good•Passive aggressive•Awfully lucky•Growing smaller

ConnotationThe emotions or associations a work normally arouses in people who use, hear, or read the word.

Example:

Mentally retarded vs. mentally disabled or developmentally challenged

I went home vs. I went to my house.

DictionWord choice. An author often chooses a word because it suggests a connotative meaning that comes from its use in various social contexts.

Spontaneous vs. flaky

Smart vs. perspicacious

ThemeA central message or insight into life revealed though the literary work; a lesson about life or people.

Example: •Those who you think are your friends might not always be your true friends.

•One should be happy with who they naturally are.

•What are some other themes in Flowers for Algernon?