The Basics of Understanding Literature

The Very BasicsFiction

Any writing or story that is made upOpposite of…nonfiction

Short StoryBrief fiction work.Only one or two main ideas usually.

NovelLonger fiction work with more complex eventsMore people, actions, and main ideas

CharactersCharactersPeople who take part in the story!!

Main Main CharactersCharacters

Characters who the events of the story center

around.

Minor Minor CharactersCharacters

Less important characters.

The story does not revolve

around them.

ProtagonistThe “good guy.” The leading character in a particular story.

AntagonistThe “bad guy.” The character who strives against the protagonist.

Setting

Time and place events occur in story.

Point of ViewThe view point of the story.

1st person – words like “I,” “you,” and “me.”3rd person – words like “he,” “she,” and “they.”All-knowing (omniscient) narrator – the

narrator can see into the thoughts of more than one character. They “know all.”

PlotChain of related event that make up the story.

Plot centers on at least one major problem or conflict.

ConflictThe major problem in a story.

Internal person vs. self

External person vs. person person vs. society person vs. nature

The Plot Diagram 3.

2. 4.

1. 5.

#1 - Exposition

1.

Background information a reader needs to know.

Can be about characters, setting, conflict, etc.

Continues throughout the story. Not just at the beginning.

#2 Rising ActionWhen the chain of

events becomes more complex

Creates desire to know what comes next. 2.

#3 - Climax

3.

Peak of story’s intensity

Most exciting partOften involves an

important event or decision.

#4 – Falling ActionThe events describing the results of the climax

4.

#5 - Resolution

5

Tells how the story ends

Not all stories have a resolution!!

ThemeMain idea or message an author wishes to

shareThe “moral” of the storyNovels often have more than one themeRarely stated directly. The reader has to

interpret.

ToneThe mood of the storySet by word choiceExamples:

The dark, gloomy house loomed over our heads in dreary silence.

Each fabulous moment is thrilling and exciting!

StyleHow a writer expresses himself or herself.Their writing personality

IronySituational irony – where an event occurs which

is unexpected because it is the exact opposite of what we thought would happen.

Example: I love chocolate. I love it so much. Any time I get a

chance to eat chocolate I will. I have posters of chocolate everywhere in my room. My freezer is full of chocolate ice cream. I eat about 5 pounds of chocolate a day.

I went to a party, and the host asked me if I wanted chocolate or vanilla ice cream.

I chose vanilla.

ImageryWords or phrases that appeal to the sensesMake a picture in your mindExamples:

Sight – “big, blue eyes like the ocean”Sound – “a thundering boom filled the room”Touch – “The puppy’s fur was soft and fluffy.”Taste – “The hot, spicy sauce burned my

tongue.”Smell – “The putrid odor of the rancid meat

made me gag.”