Vocabulary for Literature

Important Vocabulary:
Background Knowledge (also known as schema): what you already know -- Before you read a novel or other text, it helps to think about what you already know, and perhaps to find out more about the subject or setting, so that you will understand the book or other text  better.  

Realistic Fiction/ Life Problems Fiction   The Outsiders is a work of realistic fiction because the story it tells could really happen.  Even though the time setting of the book is  fifty years ago,the same sorts of things could happen today.  It deals with problems people have in life such as the death of  family members or friends and   tensions between the rich and the poor.

Setting (in a work of literature):  where and when the story takes place -- The novel The Outsiders is set in Oklahoma (place)  in the 1960s (time). 

Character (in a work of literature):  a "person" in the book.   In realistic fiction, a character could be a human being, or an animal that acts like animals really act.  In fantasy, a character might be a talking animal or a troll or a mermaid or. . . . 

Plot:  
exposition
(inciting incident) 
conflict/problem 
complications
rising action
climax
falling action
resolution 

Also known as 
The Platform   --Once upon a time. . . . , -- Every day. . . . 
The Catalyst   --But one day. .  . 
The Consequences  --Because of that. . . . ,  --Because of that. . . ., 
                                    --Because of that. . . . ,  --Because of that. . . .
The Climax    -- Until finally. . .  
The Resolution   -- Ever since then. . . . ,  And the moral of the story is. . . . 
                                   -- The Story Spine -- see page 121 of Digital Storytelling in the Classroom, Ohler.

Theme:  All good stories have themes. This is the main idea of the story, the discovery about life that we take away from the story. 

What  does this book teach about how life could or should be lived?

--- about what is of value in life?
  Finding theme:  Try this link for information about how to recognize  a theme in literature: More About Theme

Antagonist: 

Protagonist:   

Point of View: