Unit One Literary Skills Vocabulary Monkeys Paw King

Unit One: Literary Skills & Vocabulary “Monkey’s Paw”; “King Midas & the Golden Touch”; “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap? ”; “The Necklace”

Point of View – the narrator of a text; who is telling the story 3 TYPES OF POINT OF VIEW: 1. 1 ST PERSON POV: when the narrator is a character inside the text 2. 2 ND PERSON POV: when the narrator talks directly to the reader 3. 3 RD PERSON POV: when the narrator is outside the text – OMNISCIENT: the outside narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of ALL the characters in the text – LIMITED OMNISCIENT: the outside narrator know the thoughts and feelings of ONLY the MAIN character

Characterization – the way the reader learns about a character and his/her traits. 2 TYPES OF CHARACTERIZATION Direct Characterization (EXPLICIT): Indirect Characterization (IMPLICIT): when the reader learns about the character from what the narrator says Ex: “Emily was a notorious bully. ” when the reader learns about the character from clues in the story: – The way they act – The way others react to them – Dialogue from other characters

Types of Characters PROTAGONIST: the main character in the text ANTAGONIST: whoever goes against the main character (not necessarily the bad guy) ROUND VS. FLAT: – Round Character: has lots of traits and details – Flat Character: not many characteristics; only one main trait STATIC VS. DYNAMIC: – Static Character: doesn’t change or learn anything – Dynamic Character: changes from the beginning to the end and learns a lesson

Plot – the events of a fictional text 5 PARTS OF A PLOT: EXPOSITION: the opening a the story; introduces the characters and setting RISING ACTION: the events that build up the suspension of a story CLIMAX: the most exciting part of the story; the turning point FALLING ACTION: all loose ends are tied up; unanswered questions are addressed RESOLUTION: the ending; how the whole story turns out

Irony – when something unexpected happens in the text 3 TYPES OF IRONY 1. DRAMATIC IRONY: when the reader knows something that the character doesn’t (the reader knows that the other character is lying) 2. SITUATIONAL IRONY: when the opposite of what is expected to happens (a math teacher not knowing the answer to a multiplication question) 3. VERBAL IRONY: when a character says something but means the opposite (“Wow! You’re so smart! – but doesn’t mean it)

Literary Techniques FLASHBACK The action of the story goes back in time to show events that have already happened FORESHADOWING The author hints at what could happen later on in the story; clues about future plot events or characterization

Metaphor one thing is compared to another unrelated thing in order to prove a point Example: “Our love was a rollercoaster. ”

Symbolism When the author uses objects, colors, places, etc. to represent a bigger concept Example: White = Purity or Innocence Black = Death; Evil; Anger etc.

Theme A lesson or moral that the reader can learn from the events of the text or a character’s experiences An idea that can connect to other ideas overall UNIVERSAL THEME: a theme that anyone on Earth could relate to, no matter culture, race, gender, or social status “Love conquers all. ” – universal “Loyalty to America is important. ” – not universal

Allusion When an author refers to another famous piece of literature 3 Most Common Forms of Allusion 1. Biblical – “Our home was the Garden of Eden – a pure paradise. ” 2. Shakespearean – “He is nothing but a Romeo. ” 3. Mythological – “Ms. Amanda is as beautiful as Aphrodite. ” – that’s the Greek goddess of beauty and y’all better believe and not deny it if you want to pass!