Common Terms in Literature
Allegory – narrative form in which characters are a representative of humanistic trait (greed, vanity)
Character – represented by a person, place or thing performing human activities
Connotation – implied meanings
Denotation – words directly made in association with the meaning
Figurative – the use of words to express meaning beyond the literal
Imagery – the author’s attempt to create mental picture
Metaphor – contrasting to seemingly unalike things that have a common interest, and enhance the situation
Simile – contrasting to seemingly unalike things that have a common interest, to enhance the meaning of a situation or themes using “like or as.”
Hyperbole – exaggeration
Foreshadowing – writer clues to the reader something is eventually going to occur
Conflict – struggle between forces
Exposition – developing the background information regarding the setting, character, plot
Point-of- View – a story can sometimes indirectly establish the author’s intention
Narrator – person telling the story
First person all about me
Third Person – the story could be told from anyone’s perspective
Protagonist – “good guy”
Antagonist – “bad guy”
Omniscient – all knowing
Rhythm – often thought of the timing in a poem (allows the reader to move throughout the work)
Setting – the place or location for the action in a work typically provides historical or cultural context for the characters. In addition, could be symbolic of the “emotional state of the characters”
Symbolism – takes on an object meant to be representative of something or an idea greater than the object itself. For example – an owl will usually represent wisdom
BEGINNING AN OUTLINE
Outline one of the readings please be sure to separate the characters according to narrator, protagonist or antagonist
Remember, outlining has two “typical” forms that most students associate with writing, first a “topic outline” and second a “sentence outline.” As you begin to write out your outline, regardless of the choice of “outline,” you must remember the “golden rule.” All outlines are formal; therefore have a specific style, which does not vary from outline to outline. If your outline contains a “Roman Numeral I” then your outline must contain a “Roman Numeral II.” If your outline contains a “Capital A, then a Capital B” must follow the format. If your outline contains a “number 1, then a number 2” must follow the format. All items must be placed in pairs, or they stand-alone; you may not have an A without a B, or a 1 without a 2…so on and so forth.
The following example is a basic outline.
Title and Author (centered)
Thesis Statement:
I. Introduction
A. One Point
B. Two Points
II. Body
III. Conclusion
A. One Point
B. Two Points
1. First detail
2. Second detail
a. Minor detail
b. Minor detail
i. Supports minor detail
ii. Supports minor detail
