Literary Terms

A person or creature who takes part in the action of a literary work.
A main character is the central focus of the story, essential to the story.
A minor character is less important, and serves mainly to show or fill out the main character.
Characterization is developed in four ways:

APPEARANCE	"A web of skin grew from his wrists to his shoulders, while his primary feathers burst out in little soft quills from the ends of his fingers" (The Sword in the Stone, 106).
ACTIONS	"Wart drew his breath at the sight of all these stately figures" (108).
WORDS & THOUGHTS	" 'I don't fear you, sir,' said Wart. 'Don't vex yourself, for no harm will come to either of us' " (114).
REACTION OF OTHERS	"Spare the poor boy, your ladyship, and lead us not into temptation" (113).

Protagonist

The central character in a story. The protagonist has a goal, faces a conflict, and usually changes during a story. He may also face an antagonist.

Antagonist

The character or force working against the main character. It may be another character, the environment, society, or a thought within the main character.

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Inference

A logical prediction or conclusion based on evidence. What is the character feeling? What is his motive? What might happen next?

Examples:

Text	Inference
"And those seafarers hurried from their beds, their hearts already sailing on the ship's swift back" (Beowulf l.1803).	The seafarers are eager and happy to get on the ship. That's why they hurry from their beds. They're going to sail soon.
"A good while after that, when the boys had been whistling and luring and following the sulky hawk from tree to tree, Kay lost his temper. 'Let him go, then,' cried Kay. 'He's no use anyway' " (The Sword in the Stone, 17).	Kay is frustrated and he gives up trying to catch the hawk. When he blames the hawk, this shows that he doesn't take responsibility.
"I heard those words with my own ears, and my heart sank" (I, Juan de Pareja, 64).	Juan doesn't like what he has just heard. It makes him feel upset or sad.

Perspective

The point of view from which the story is told.

First person: the narrator is a character in the story. This uses "I" and "me."
Third person limited: the narrator tells us only what one character thinks and feels. This uses "he" and "she."
Third person omniscient: the narrator relates the thoughts and feelings of several or all of the characters. This uses "he" and "she."

Narrator

The one who is "telling" the story.

Setting

The time and place of the action.
Elements of setting may include geographic location, historical period, the season of the year, the time of day, or the customs of a society.

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Plot

The sequence of related events that outlines a story. It includes the exposition, goal, conflict, climax (turning point), and resolution.
Here is a plot "mountain" diagram:

Exposition

Usually found at the beginning of a story, introduces the main characters, describes the setting, and sometimes establishes the conflict.

Goal

What the character is trying to accomplish.

Conflict

Struggle between opposing forces. This struggle makes it difficult for the character to accomplish his goal.
In a mountain diagram, think of it as the mountain that must be climbed.

Internal Conflict	External Conflict
Struggle within the character: Should I or shouldn't I?	Struggle between the character and an outside force: Protagonist vs. antagonist Protagonist vs. nature Protagonist vs. society

Rising Action

Rising action is the series of events that lead to the climax of the story, usually the conflicts or struggles of the protagonist. The protagonist faces an obstacle, overcomes it, and progresses toward the next obstacle.

Turning Point

Also called the climax: the point of greatest suspense, when the outcome of the conflict becomes clear. Think of it as the "mountain top" from which you can see the other side.

Falling Action

The falling action immediately follows the climax. Conflicts begin to be resolved, and the dramatic tension is being released. This is usually brief, just before the end of a story.

Resolution

The denouement, or final stage of the plot, when the conflict is resolved and the "loose ends" are tied up. The story is brought to a close.

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Theme

The idea about life or human nature that is conveyed by a literary work. For example: friendship.

Thesis

The statement or message about what the author is saying about the theme in a literary work.
For example: The test of friendship is loyalty under pressure.

This Week in Core

Literature Page

Poetry Terms

Independent Reading Plan