| A | B |
|---|
| Introduction | beginning of the book meant to grab the reader's attention |
| "In medias res" | establishes setting and character at the middle or end |
| Exposition | part in plot where characters, setting, plot, and conflict introduced |
| Point of View | the vantage point from which the story is told |
| First Person Point of View | stories are told using "I" or "we" |
| Second Person Point of View | when the author uses "you" referring to the main character |
| Third Person Point of View | the narrator uses "he," "she," "it," and "they" |
| Conflict | struggle between opposing forces or characters |
| Internal Conflict | struggle between opposing forces in a character's mind |
| External Conflict | struggle between 2 people, a person, nature, society, God |
| Simile | comparison between two dissimilar things using "like," "as," or "as if" |
| Dialogue | a conversation between two or more characters |
| Dialect | the form of language spoken by people of a particular region |
| Flashback | an interruption in a story to tell about events that happened before the current action |
| Inciting Incident | the event that propels the exposition forward, both exposing the conflict and ultimately moving it in the direction of resolution |
| Epiphany | a sudden moment of understanding that causes a character to change or act in a certain way |
| Motif | a repeated idea, word, or image author uses to support the theme of a piece of writing |
| Motif #1: "Wisdom can be found in unexpected places." | Ex: PJ learns an important lesson from a security guard |
| Motif #2: "There is a kindness and goodness in Americans that is often overlooked." | Ex: a man stops to give PJ 5 apples; a waitress pays for Peter's food |
| Motif #3: "Help arrives out of nowhere in the nick of time." | Ex: a man stops to dequill Cooper just at the right time |
| Motif #4: "Prejudice is sometimes a fact of life in America." | Ex: the folks in Robbinsville want to lynch Peter; Peter fears the black kids playing basketball in Murphy |
| Motif #5: "Peter trusts his intuitions." | Ex: PJ listens to his dreams; PJ senses a call to go to the Revival |
| Motif #6: "Peter does charitable acts for others." | Ex: PJ builds pigpens for the Olivers |
| Motif #7: "People can put aside their prejudices." | Ex: PJ plays basketball with the Olivers |
| Motif #8: "God is a big part of the American experience." | Ex: PJ encounters the people at The Farm; Peter is led to attend a revival |
| Personification | referring to inanimate objects in human terms |
| Metaphor | comparing two dissimilar things without using "like'" "as," or "as if." |
| Maxim | a principle or rule of conduct |
| Hyperbole | a figure of speech which is an exaggeration |
| Rising Action | place in a story where a related series of events enables the the conflict develop to a higher point of intensity |
| Tone | the author's attitude toward the characters or the story |
| Mood | how the reader feels while reading the story |
| Characters | the individuals in a story |
| Dynamic Characters | characters who change |
| Static Characters | characters who do not change |
| Round Characters | characters with many dimensions |
| Flat Characters | characters with 1 or 2 personality traits |
| Characterization | how a writer reveals personality of a character |
| Direct Characterization | writer tells directly through character's own words |
| Indirect Characterization | writer describes character though actions |
| Symbolism | person, place, thing that stands for more than itself |
| Aphorism | short saying that makes a point |
| Style | manner in which writers say what they wish |
| Anecdote | short story serving to make a point |
| Description | use of words to appeal to senses |
| Irony | discrepancy between appearnace and reality |
| Verbal Irony | say one thing & mean something else |
| Situational Irony | discrepancy between what's expected and what happens |
| Suspense | feeling of growing tension |
| Subplot | secondary action in a story |
| Protagonist | main character |
| Antagonist | character or force opposed to the main character |
| Cliche | expression stale from overuse |
| Crisis | turning point in the plot |
| Climax | reader's interest peaks |
| Falling Action | reversal after climax |
| Moment of Final Suspense | final outcome of conflict in doubt |
| Resolution | release of anxiety; return to normalcy |
| Denouement | "the untangling of the knot" |
| Theme | message about life the author gives |
