Narration

omniscient point of view

A 3rd person narrator who can enter the consciousness of any character, evaluate motives, and explain feelings

limited point of view

A 3rd person narrator who describes events only from the perspective and with the understanding of one, or sometimes, a select few characters

theme

A central idea conveyed by a literary work, either directly or implicitly. An abstract concept that recurs in many works of literature: war is horrific, parents and children experience conflicts, etc.

point of view

Can be identified by the pronoun that the narrator uses to recount events. the vantage point from which a story is told

second person point of view

Least common point of view. Narrator address the audience directly using the pronoun "you." Assumes the audience is experiencing the events along with the narrator.

third person point of view

Narrator that has a much broader view and, usually, an objective perspective on characters and events. Uses "he," "she," or "they"

narration

The act of telling a story, whether in prose or in verse, and the means by which that telling is accomplished

tone

The attitude that a literary speaker expresses toward his/her subject matter and audience. Derived from spoken discourse where listeners attend to a speaker's tone of voice in order to assess his feelings about the topic at hand a

voice

The form of various convictions and values by which s/he judges characters and events as well as evokes judgments in the reader, stands behind every fictional narrative.

dialogue

The presentation of what characters in a literary work say. Used to reveal characters' motives, feelings, values, and relationships.

characterization

The techniques by which an author of a work of fiction, drama, or narrative poetry represents the moral, intellectual, and emotional natures of the characters

setting

The time and place in which the events in a work of fiction, drama, or narrative poetry occur

intrusive narrator

a 3rd person narrator who offers philosophical or moral commentary on the characters and the events s/he depicts

objective narrator

a 3rd person narrator whose presence is merely implied

foil

a character who contrasts with the protagonist in ways that bring out certain of his/her moral, emotional, or intellectual qualities

plot

a sequence of events leading to some sort of resolution that is designed to reveal the feelings, motives, and values of the characters

aside

a speech, usually brief, that, according to theatrical conventions, is heard only by the audience, or, sometimes, is addressed privately to another character on stage

stream of consciousness

a type of 3rd person narration used to replicate the thought process of a character, with little or no intervention by the narrator

telling

author describes, and comments on, characters' motives and values and often also passes judgment on characters and events, as a means of shaping the audience's response

antagonist

from the Greek word for "against the contender"; the character who opposes the protagonist's goals and interests and so creates the major conflict in the work

protagonist

from the Greek word for "first actor" or "first contender"; the main character. The events of the work center on him/her.

pathos

from the Greek word for "suffering"; the evocation in the audience of pity, tenderness, compassion, or sorrow

soliloquy

from the Latin word for "to speak alone"; a monologue delivered by a character who is alone on stage; speaker may address the audience as though they are confidantes or simply seem to be thinking aloud

first person narrator

is a character in the story uses "I" and "me" tells us only what he or she thinks and experiences

showing

simply presenting characters' words and actions without commentary and allowing that dramatization to imply their motives, feelings, and values

Narrator

the person the telling the story

round character

three-dimensional; multifaceted and subject to change and growth; the character is capable of inconsistencies and is similar to an actual human being

flat character

two-dimensional; more a type than an individual; stays essentially the same throughout the work