English midterm
What is setting
the time and place where the action of a literary work happens
what is character
the person who takes part in the action of a literary work
what is plot
the series of events and character actions that relate to the central
conflict
what is conflict
the struggle between people or things within a literary work
what is theme
the central idea or belief the reader is supposed to take away from a
literary work
who is the protagonist
the “main character:” whoever it is supposed to have our primary focus.
who is the antagonist
the “villain:” whoever is presented as the main character or rival of the protagonist
what is dynamic
that they change as a result of the events
of the story
what is static
where they largely remain unchanged
exposition
This is where the characters and setting are introduced to the readers
rising action
The catalyst that sets the story in motion, which forces the protagonists out of their comfort zone, or “stasis.”
climax
This is where the protagonists are faced with a decision as a result of the rising action. This decision will affect the rest
of the story
falling action
This is where we find out the consequences of the decision the protagonists made
resolution
The conflict set in motion in the rising action has been resolved through the
decision made in the climax. This results in a change in the protagonists: either they get what they want, they don’t get what
they want, or they come to realize what they wanted wasn’t the thing that mattered
external conflict
person verse nature
person verse person
person verse society
internal conflict
person verse self
what is Kishōtenketsu
Ki: Introduction – who are the characters?
• Shō: Development – deepening our relationship to the characters and letting us relate to them.
• Ten: Twist – the complication that may involve conflict, but may also just be something the characters must adjust
to.
• Ketsu: how the characters reaction to the complication introduced
symbolism
alluding to things that the author wants you to consider rather
than stating it directly
Allusion
An expression designed to call something to mind without expressing it directly
close reading
a method of literary analysis which focuses on the specific details of a passage or text in order to discern some deeper meaning present in it.
literary device
is any specific aspect of a work of literature that we can identify,
interpret, or analyze
literary technique
is a specific construction of language that an author uses to convey
meaning through the use of a single word, phrase, or group of words and phrases at a
particular point in the text.
literary element
s an aspect or characteristic of the entire text
Introduction
introduces the topic by giving readers a general sense of what the essay will be about
body
Provides information and arguments that follow from the thesis.
Conclusion
Summarizes the main points of the essay and identifies the broader significance of what you’re addressing.