KNOW ALL OF THESE TERMS!
Make sure you scroll ALL THE DOWN!
The Six Elements of Fiction:
Theme- This is the ongoing message the author wants to convey. For example, in Jack London's novel Call of the Wild, one of the main themes was Survival of the Fittest.
Characterization-Dynamic or Static? Flat or round? Appearance; Age; Personality; Motives
Setting -Where? When? Tone/mood?
Point of View - Told from the First Person narrator(I, me, we, us); Third Person ( they, he, she, you, etc); Omniscient (knows what's going on in all characters' heads)
Plot- All the stuff of the story: Exposition, Rising action, Crisis/Climax, Falling Action, Resolution (Denouement)
Conflict- That which causes a problem or struggle for the protagonist; it can me internal: Man vs Self-- or external :Man vs Man (character vs character); Man vs Society; Man vs Nature, etc.
Bonus words:
Literary terms and Devices
1. Word choice- Diction; the way words and phrases are used to express ideas
2. Structure- the number of lines and stanza, rhyme scheme, and lengths and breaks in a poem
3. Imagery-words and phrases that appeal to a readers five senses
4. Figurative language- words and phrases that express ideas that are not literally true ssuch as metaphors, similes, and personification
5. Personification- a form of figurative language in which an animal or object is given human qualities such as feelings, thoughts, or attitudes.
6. Suspense- The quality of a short story, novel, play, or poem that makes the reader uncertain or tense about the outcome of events.
7. Imagery- Descriptive words and phrases that create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind; usually appeals to one of the five senses.
8. Denotation- The literal meaning of a word; the dictionary definition of a word.
9. Syntax- the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language; sentence structure (Throw father down the stairs his hat is an example of poor syntax!)
10. Tone- How the writer’s diction and attitude toward a subject, such as serious, mocking, playful, or sympathetic , makes the reader feel.
11. Mood- the feelings we get from the use of the author’s Tone
12. Theme- The central message of a literary work
13. Symbol- Any object, person, place, or action that has both a meaning in itself and that stands for something larger than itself, such as a quality, attitude, belief, or value.(e.g. a heart on Valentine's Day symbolizes Love)
14. Oxymoron- a pair of opposite terms combined into a single unusual expression ( e.g.: That show was pretty awful! or That girl is awfully pretty.) We have a very odd language!
15. Hyperbole- A deliberate, extravagant, and often outrageous exaggeration (e.g. He was as wide as a barn!)
16. Flashback- A scene that interrupts the action of a work to show a previous event
17. Foreshadowing- The use of hints or clues in a narrative to suggest future action
18. metaphor- A comparison of two unlike things not using “like” or “as”( e.g. I was flooded with homework; He was a gazelle on the track field.)
19. simile – using “like” or “as” to make a comparison of two unlike things (e.g. My homework is like a flood. He runs like a gazelle.)
20. protagonist- The central character of a drama, novel, short story, or narrative poem.
21. Plot- The sequence of events or actions in a short story, novel, play, or narrative poem
22. Setting- The time and place in which events in a short story occur
23. Exposition- that part of a novel or story in which the setting, characters, and problem are introduced.
24. Alliteration- The practice of beginning several consecutive or neighboring words with the same sound; the repetition of an initial consonant sound.(e.g. Peter Piper Picked a peck of pickled peppers)
25. Motivation- motive-A character's reason for behaving in a certain manner.
26. Allusion- A reference to a mythological, literary, or historical person, place, or thing
27. Idiom- distinctive expression or phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the actual words but are commonly understood within a given culture. E.g. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
28. Onomatopoeia- The use of words that mimic the sounds they describe
29. Assonance- The repetition of accented vowel sounds in a series of words
30. Antagonist- The character who stands directly opposed to the protagonist
31. Allegory- An extended metaphor, in which objects and people represent something larger than their literal meaning; tells a story that can reveal a hidden meaning or moral. (e.g.-A famous allegory is the book Animal Farm by George Orwell which depicts the Russian Revolution and rise of communism through the use of farm animals. Many of Aesop’s fables are also allegories)
32. Metonymy- A figure of speech in which a word represents something else which it suggests for example suit for business executive
33. Connotation- The writer or speaker’s attitude toward a subject, character, or audience conveyed through the author’s choice of words and detail. For example the difference between saying thin or scrawny
Conflict- (noun)an internal or external struggle
34. Irony- A difference between the appearance and the reality; the opposite of what is expected or intended.
35. Theme- The central message of a literary work – the idea the author wishes to convey about the subject.
36. Satire- A tool writers use to critique or point out a flaw in society, an organization or an individual; a spoof or a humorous imitation of something
37. Point of View- The perspective from which a story is told ( e.g. first person; third person)
38. Repetition- The deliberate use of any element of language more than once – sound, word, phrase, sentence, grammatical pattern, or rhythmical pattern; repeated sounds, words, phrases,etc.
39. Satire- A tool writers use to critique or point out a flaw in society, an organization or an individual.
40. Assonance- repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds in nearby words ( e.g.the long “i” sound in Try to light the fire)
41. Euphemism- usually a nicer, gentler way to say something; an indirect, less offensive way of saying something unpleasant. (e.g. He passed away instead of he died
42. Diction- The author’s specific word choice intended to convey a certain effect and often establishes tone in a story or poem.
43. Apostrophe ( NOT punctuation mark ‘ ) In literature or drama, apostrophe is a figure of speech in which the speaker directs speech to a third party-- Someone who is absent, dead, or nonhuman is addressed as if it was alive or present and could reply.( e.g.: "O My friends, there is no friend." Montaigne; "Roll on, thou dark and deep blue Ocean -- roll!" Lord Byron)
44. Plot - The sequence of events or actions in a text that make up a story.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Vocabulary words
1. score- set of twenty, such as twenty years or twenty people.
2. auspiciously- favorably
3. discomfiture- discomfort; uneasiness
4. cowed- intimidated
5. divers- several; various
6. insular- isolated
7. latent- hidden (such as a hidden or latent talent)
8. malignant- causing or intending harm
9. primordial- primitive; related to earliest ages
10. unwonted- unusual; out of the ordinary
11. revelation- turning point
12. classic- timeless; such as a classic or timeless play, work of art, or novel.
Other words to learn from this novel
The Magician’s Elephant
Profound – adjective- penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding: (a profound thinker). Having deep feelings (profound grief); going beyond the surface or superficial (profound insight). of deep meaning (a profound book.)
Audacity –noun- boldness or daring, especially with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions. ( He had the audacity to ask for special privileges after having received a detention.)—Synonyms: nerve, spunk, temerity, impudence, impertinence, brashness.
Conjure – verb - To summon (a devil or spirit) by magical or supernatural power or to perform magic tricks, especially by sleight of hand. (The magician conjured up a rabbit from his hat. The little boy conjured up a tall tale to cover up his misbehavior.)
Perpetual – adjective- Lasting forever -- Synonyms: everlasting, eternal, continuous, uninterrupted, permanent.
Cataclysm – noun- a sudden and violent upheaval or disaster that causes great changes in society -- Synonyms: catastrophe, disaster, calamity, upheaval, debacle (The tsunami caused a cataclysm in the Japan.)
Mayhem – (noun) absolute chaos or severe disruption—Synonyms: chaos, disorder, confusion, havoc, bedlam, pandemonium (Whenever the teacher left the room, it was mayhem.)
Vocabulary Review
Make sure you scroll ALL THE DOWN!
The Six Elements of Fiction:
Theme- This is the ongoing message the author wants to convey. For example, in Jack London's novel Call of the Wild, one of the main themes was Survival of the Fittest.
Characterization-Dynamic or Static? Flat or round? Appearance; Age; Personality; Motives
Setting -Where? When? Tone/mood?
Point of View - Told from the First Person narrator(I, me, we, us); Third Person ( they, he, she, you, etc); Omniscient (knows what's going on in all characters' heads)
Plot- All the stuff of the story: Exposition, Rising action, Crisis/Climax, Falling Action, Resolution (Denouement)
Conflict- That which causes a problem or struggle for the protagonist; it can me internal: Man vs Self-- or external :Man vs Man (character vs character); Man vs Society; Man vs Nature, etc.
Bonus words:
- Q.E.D. Latin, quod erat demonstrandum- that which was to be demonstrated or proved.
- e.g. Latin, exempli gratia- for exampl
Literary terms and Devices
1. Word choice- Diction; the way words and phrases are used to express ideas
2. Structure- the number of lines and stanza, rhyme scheme, and lengths and breaks in a poem
3. Imagery-words and phrases that appeal to a readers five senses
4. Figurative language- words and phrases that express ideas that are not literally true ssuch as metaphors, similes, and personification
5. Personification- a form of figurative language in which an animal or object is given human qualities such as feelings, thoughts, or attitudes.
6. Suspense- The quality of a short story, novel, play, or poem that makes the reader uncertain or tense about the outcome of events.
7. Imagery- Descriptive words and phrases that create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind; usually appeals to one of the five senses.
8. Denotation- The literal meaning of a word; the dictionary definition of a word.
9. Syntax- the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language; sentence structure (Throw father down the stairs his hat is an example of poor syntax!)
10. Tone- How the writer’s diction and attitude toward a subject, such as serious, mocking, playful, or sympathetic , makes the reader feel.
11. Mood- the feelings we get from the use of the author’s Tone
12. Theme- The central message of a literary work
13. Symbol- Any object, person, place, or action that has both a meaning in itself and that stands for something larger than itself, such as a quality, attitude, belief, or value.(e.g. a heart on Valentine's Day symbolizes Love)
14. Oxymoron- a pair of opposite terms combined into a single unusual expression ( e.g.: That show was pretty awful! or That girl is awfully pretty.) We have a very odd language!
15. Hyperbole- A deliberate, extravagant, and often outrageous exaggeration (e.g. He was as wide as a barn!)
16. Flashback- A scene that interrupts the action of a work to show a previous event
17. Foreshadowing- The use of hints or clues in a narrative to suggest future action
18. metaphor- A comparison of two unlike things not using “like” or “as”( e.g. I was flooded with homework; He was a gazelle on the track field.)
19. simile – using “like” or “as” to make a comparison of two unlike things (e.g. My homework is like a flood. He runs like a gazelle.)
20. protagonist- The central character of a drama, novel, short story, or narrative poem.
21. Plot- The sequence of events or actions in a short story, novel, play, or narrative poem
22. Setting- The time and place in which events in a short story occur
23. Exposition- that part of a novel or story in which the setting, characters, and problem are introduced.
24. Alliteration- The practice of beginning several consecutive or neighboring words with the same sound; the repetition of an initial consonant sound.(e.g. Peter Piper Picked a peck of pickled peppers)
25. Motivation- motive-A character's reason for behaving in a certain manner.
26. Allusion- A reference to a mythological, literary, or historical person, place, or thing
27. Idiom- distinctive expression or phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the actual words but are commonly understood within a given culture. E.g. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
28. Onomatopoeia- The use of words that mimic the sounds they describe
29. Assonance- The repetition of accented vowel sounds in a series of words
30. Antagonist- The character who stands directly opposed to the protagonist
31. Allegory- An extended metaphor, in which objects and people represent something larger than their literal meaning; tells a story that can reveal a hidden meaning or moral. (e.g.-A famous allegory is the book Animal Farm by George Orwell which depicts the Russian Revolution and rise of communism through the use of farm animals. Many of Aesop’s fables are also allegories)
32. Metonymy- A figure of speech in which a word represents something else which it suggests for example suit for business executive
33. Connotation- The writer or speaker’s attitude toward a subject, character, or audience conveyed through the author’s choice of words and detail. For example the difference between saying thin or scrawny
Conflict- (noun)an internal or external struggle
34. Irony- A difference between the appearance and the reality; the opposite of what is expected or intended.
35. Theme- The central message of a literary work – the idea the author wishes to convey about the subject.
36. Satire- A tool writers use to critique or point out a flaw in society, an organization or an individual; a spoof or a humorous imitation of something
37. Point of View- The perspective from which a story is told ( e.g. first person; third person)
38. Repetition- The deliberate use of any element of language more than once – sound, word, phrase, sentence, grammatical pattern, or rhythmical pattern; repeated sounds, words, phrases,etc.
39. Satire- A tool writers use to critique or point out a flaw in society, an organization or an individual.
40. Assonance- repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds in nearby words ( e.g.the long “i” sound in Try to light the fire)
41. Euphemism- usually a nicer, gentler way to say something; an indirect, less offensive way of saying something unpleasant. (e.g. He passed away instead of he died
42. Diction- The author’s specific word choice intended to convey a certain effect and often establishes tone in a story or poem.
43. Apostrophe ( NOT punctuation mark ‘ ) In literature or drama, apostrophe is a figure of speech in which the speaker directs speech to a third party-- Someone who is absent, dead, or nonhuman is addressed as if it was alive or present and could reply.( e.g.: "O My friends, there is no friend." Montaigne; "Roll on, thou dark and deep blue Ocean -- roll!" Lord Byron)
44. Plot - The sequence of events or actions in a text that make up a story.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Vocabulary words
1. score- set of twenty, such as twenty years or twenty people.
2. auspiciously- favorably
3. discomfiture- discomfort; uneasiness
4. cowed- intimidated
5. divers- several; various
6. insular- isolated
7. latent- hidden (such as a hidden or latent talent)
8. malignant- causing or intending harm
9. primordial- primitive; related to earliest ages
10. unwonted- unusual; out of the ordinary
11. revelation- turning point
12. classic- timeless; such as a classic or timeless play, work of art, or novel.
Other words to learn from this novel
- Obdurate- adj. Stubborn; not easily moved or convinced ; stubbornly persistent.
- Celerity- noun- a rate that is quick or rapid; swiftness; rapidness
- Deluge- overwhelm as with a flood; inundation; verb: charge someone with too many tasks.--noun: an overwhelming amount (flood; work; etc)
- Aspire-verb: to have an ambitious plan or goal; try; attempt; aim for
- Monotonous- adj.: tediously repetitious; tiresome because of being the same thing over and over; unvarying
- Heredity- noun: process whereby genetic factors are passed on from one generation to the next; traits that are inherited from one generation to the next
- Lugubriously- adv: sadly; mournfully; in a sorrowful manner
- Manifestly- adv.: clearly; obviously; unmistakably
- Slovenly- adj. : habitually dirty and/or unkempt; untidy; careless
The Magician’s Elephant
Profound – adjective- penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding: (a profound thinker). Having deep feelings (profound grief); going beyond the surface or superficial (profound insight). of deep meaning (a profound book.)
Audacity –noun- boldness or daring, especially with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions. ( He had the audacity to ask for special privileges after having received a detention.)—Synonyms: nerve, spunk, temerity, impudence, impertinence, brashness.
Conjure – verb - To summon (a devil or spirit) by magical or supernatural power or to perform magic tricks, especially by sleight of hand. (The magician conjured up a rabbit from his hat. The little boy conjured up a tall tale to cover up his misbehavior.)
Perpetual – adjective- Lasting forever -- Synonyms: everlasting, eternal, continuous, uninterrupted, permanent.
Cataclysm – noun- a sudden and violent upheaval or disaster that causes great changes in society -- Synonyms: catastrophe, disaster, calamity, upheaval, debacle (The tsunami caused a cataclysm in the Japan.)
Mayhem – (noun) absolute chaos or severe disruption—Synonyms: chaos, disorder, confusion, havoc, bedlam, pandemonium (Whenever the teacher left the room, it was mayhem.)
Vocabulary Review
- metamorphosis- a profound change
- salient- most noticeable or important
- perpetual- never ending or changing
- audacity- willingness to take bold risks; to be bold or rude
- epiphany- a revelation or sudden awareness
- cataclysm- a catastrophe; a large scale violent upheaval
- motive-something that causes someone to act a certain way or do a certain thing; the reason for doing something.
- conjure- to produce something as by magic
- unwonted- unusual or unaccustomed
- quest- an adventure or adventurous expedition to find or achieve something.
- genre- in literature, a class or category of writing such as historical fiction, biography, mystery, etc.
- motif- a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work. (Example: the windows in the novel The Magician's Elephant)