J. Roth

FICTION TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

PLOT

The Classical Plot Line

4. Climax

3. Intensification

5. Denouement

2. Complication

end of the story

1. Exposition

beginning of the story

1. Exposition: In general, the setting is established and certain characters are introduced.
2. Complication: A problem in introduced that creates conflict.
3. Intensification: The problem and the conflict get worse.
4. Climax: The most exciting part of the plot.
5. Denouement: The resolution—a look at the characters and situation after the climax.

PLOT--continued

Ø Protagonist—the central character

Ø Antagonists—characters, forces, etc., that oppose the protagonist

Ø Conflict—where opposing forces meet—a clash of actions, ideas, desires, or wills.

Ø Suspense—the quality in a story that makes us want to read on.

Ø Mystery—an unusual set of circumstances for which readers crave an explanation.

Ø Dilemma—two choices—neither favorable.

Ø Plot Manipulation (deus ex machina)—a plot turn unjustified by the situation or characters.

CHARACTER

Ø Direct Presentation—we are told straight out what the characters are like.

Ø Indirect Presentation—we are shown what the characters are like by watching them in action and then making inferences.

Ø Flat Character—a character about which we know little—one-dimensional.

Ø Round Character—a character about which we know a great deal—multi-faceted, more fully developed.

Ø Stock Character—a character who is of a recognizable type and whose actions are predicable.

Ø Static Character—a character that does not change significantly through the action of the story.

Ø Developing (Dynamic) Character—a character that changes significantly through the action of the story.

THEME

Ø Theme—the central insight or unifying generalization about life presented in a story. Not all stories have themes. In addition, a theme is stated as a generalization about experience rather than specific to the story in which it is found.

NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW

Ø First Person Narration—a character is the narrator.

Ø Limited Omniscient Narration—the narrator is outside of the story—one character’s thoughts are revealed.

Ø Omniscient Narration—the narrator is outside of the story—at least two characters’ thoughts are revealed.

Ø Objective Narration—the narrator is outside of the story—no character’s thoughts are revealed. Often called “camera eye” or “fly-on-the-wall.”

SYMBOL

Ø A symbol—something that means more than what it is. It is something that represents itself plus something of a different kind. It is an object, a person, a situation, an action, or some other item that has a literal meaning in the story but suggests or represents other meanings as well.

IRONY

Ø Verbal Irony—when the opposite of what is said is meant. (Not to be confused with satire).

Ø Dramatic Irony—a contrast between what the character says and what the reader knows to be true.

Ø Situational Irony—when the opposite of what is expected to happen happens.