LITERARY TERMS

THEME =the central idea of the text; it raises a question about human nature or experience. SUBJECT = the sequence of events the characters are involved in . PLOT = the sequence of conflicts that lead to a climax and resolution that makes sense; the plot can be chronological when the events are presented in chronological order disrupted when the events are presented as they come to the mind of the narrator frame story a story within a story (ex. The Canterbury Tales) *The parts of the plot are: - The exposition (the information telling us how and why the characters became involved in the conflict) - The initiating action (the event that brings the opposing forces into conflict) - The rising action (the gradual advancement of the conflict; the problems faced by the characters) - The CLIMAX (The point of highest interest, in which the protagonist takes consciously or not- the action that will determine the future course of events) - The dnouement or resolution = the incidents by which the conflict caused by the initiating action is resolved. CHARACTERS can be: round (complex) or flat (simple , dominated by one feature ) static (doesnt change from the beginning to the end ) or dynamic ( it undergoes changes for the better / worse ) A character can be governed by public values (courage, modesty, faith.) or by private values ( intelligence ,beauty) A character can be one of these: - a god (he/she is divine , superior to other beings )=> a myth - a godlike (he/she is a superior human being whose actions are marvellous) => a legend, a fairy-tale or a folk-tale - a hero (he/she is a leader whose actions , either good or bad , are courageous) =>an epic or a tragedy - a non-hero (one of us , not superior to other people )=> a realistic novel or a comedy

an anti-hero ( he/she is of inferior intelligence to us ; the story is one of bondage , frustration , absurdity ) => modernist , postmodernist and absurd literature

SETTING = the background (time, space, season, weather elements, physical props, clothing, cultural elements) against which the conflict and actions occur. It is strictly connected with the plot, atmosphere, characters, the tone and even the message of the work. POINT OF VIEW = the approach from which the story is told .It determines what information the reader receives and how it is presented. A first person narrative ( the story is told by one of the characters from a first persons approach ) *a third person narrative ( the story is told by the author or an observer ,from a third persons perspective ) Omniscient point of view = the narrator ( the author ) pretends to know everything about the characters and the action ; the reader has to take his/her information for granted .(ex. Th. Hardy Tess..)(-third person) Detached autobiography = the story is told by one of the characters tells the story long after the events occurred , in a frame of mind greatly changed since the time of the story ,even due to the lesson learned from the experience .(ex. Ch. Dickens Great Expectations)(-1st person) Subjective narration = (1st pers.) the story is told by one of the characters shortly after the conclusion of the events, still under their influence, in a subjective manner. He is addressing us, not the general public or another character. (Ex. Mark Twain Huckleberry Finn) Objective narration = ( 3rd pers.) the narrator reduces his role to that of an eyewitness ,chooses not to present inner life , dealing with the surface of things , the way a camera does .( ex Ernest Hemingway) Observer narration = (1st pers.+3rd pers.) it is a single character-point of view ,of a subordinate one , indirectly involved in the action ;he assumes several roles : he may be a confident of the main character, or an eye-witness, or he may find out things from other characters .(ex. Nick Carraway in S. Fitzgeralds Great Gatsby or Mr. Lockwood in E .Brontes Wuthering Heights )

ESSAY WRITING 1. Narrative Essay Structure, link words, register Narrative essays may describe real or fictional events and can be rendered in the first person (I / we) or in the third person (he/she/they). It must be exciting, strange or funny in order to stir the interest of the reader and be successful. Both beginnings and ends are important parts as the former stimulate the interest of the reader and the latter satisfy his curiosity and expectations .Keep in mind that a boring or even too predictable ending can spoil a good story. In narratives we use a wide range of past tenses as well as both direct and reported speech. Descriptions of people and places can also be included in narrative essays. STRUCTURE: Introduction *paragraph 1 You set the scene (describe the time, place weather, atmosphere, people involved, possible feelings) Body *paragraph 2 before the main events >incidents leading to the main event *paragraph 3 the main event(s): describe the events, the people involved in , give details Conclusion * final paragraph end the story referring to the resolution of the conflict, moods, consequences, peoples reactions, feelings etc. Link words: to show time :when, then , after , before , during , meanwhile , as soon as , now that, the moment that , as , no soonerthan , hardlywhen, immediately , since, while , until , by the time , as long as to order or list events /points: firstly , first of all , in the first place , to start with , to begin with , secondly , thirdly , finally to add more points : what is more , moreover , furthermore , apart from this , in addition to this , besides , not onlybut also to conclude :finally , all in all , on the whole , taking everything into account , all things considered , to sum up , in conclusion