LA 9 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
LA 9 FINAL EXAM Study Guide (and test format)
Fall Semester 2007
Part One: Literary Terms
A. Definitions
B. Application
(Theme, motif, symbol, imagery, image, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, figurative language, figures of speech, vernacular, dialect – use your notes from 11/28 or 11/29 for these definitions.)
Part Two: Their Eyes Were Watching God
A. Background Information—author, time period
B. The Novel—written response
Part Three: Of Mice and Men
A. Background Information—author, time period
B. The Novel—written response
Part Four: Elements of Fiction
A. Definitions
B. Application
Elements of Fiction LA 9 2007/Kamens
action: what happens in a story; the events and conflicts; develops into the plot
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antagonist: person, animal, or thing (a character); works against the protagonist, the hero of the story; sometimes called a villain
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character: person, animal, or thing in a story
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characterization: methods used by the author; reveals the character; describes the characters
METHODS: the character is described; the character speaks; other characters speak about the character; the reader knows the character’s thoughts; the character is known by his/her actions
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climax: high point; turning point of the story; key scene – where the reader’s emotional involvement is the greatest
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conflict: the problem in a story; a story may have more than one conflict; five types of conflict: man v. man; man v. society; man v. himself; man v. nature; man v. fate
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denouement: the final solution; the outcome of the story; also called the resolution
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dialogue: conversation between characters
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exposition: explanation; at the beginning of the story; gives readers background information; helps readers understand the story
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falling action: action in the story that follows the climax; ends with the resolution
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flashback: returning to an earlier time in the story; helps make the story clearer
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foreshadowing: a suggestion, hint, or clue; made by the author; about what will happen
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imagery: words or phrases; brings a picture or image to the reader’s mind
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mood: the feeling that the story suggests
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narrator: person who is telling the story (see point of view)
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plot: action in a story; series of related incidents – incidents build and grow as the story develops
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point of view: how the story is told; first person – story is told by one of the characters; third person – told by someone outside the story
THIRD PERSON POV:
omniscient: the narrator relates the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters (God-like; all-knowing)
limited omniscient: the narrator relates the thoughts and feelings of only one character
objective view: the narrator reports the action from a neutral or unemotional pov
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protagonist: main character; hero of the story
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resolution: part of the story where the problem is solved; after the climax; after the falling action; also called the denouement
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rising action: series of conflicts that build to the climax
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setting: time in which the story takes place; location of the story
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theme: statement about life that a writer is trying to get across to his/her reader; a general message of truth; an idea or insight about life
The theme is not stated in one specific line or part of the story. Instead, the reader should be able to make a one or two sentence statement about the theme. There should be specific scenes or lines in the story which support what the reader thinks is the theme of the story.
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tone: attitude of the author; attitude toward character(s); attitude toward audience
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