Literary Terms
English I Honors
Today’s Objectives 9/9/2013
You will be able to:
Collaborate with peers to identify & define
literary terms
Provide examples of literary terms utilizing
prior knowledge & information/passages from
O.M.A.M
Homework: OPEN HOUSE WEDNESDAY
YOUR JOB FOR TODAY 9 /9/2013
Count off and group yourselves into tables (yes, that
means make a table) with classmates
Have all the following materials: your O.M.A.M book,
whiteboard, marker (everyone on your team must write
at least once) – You are racing the other teams! I want
to see who can provide the correct answer. That means
write it down quick and hold up your board!
Determine the definition of each literary device with
your team, write the answer, and hold up your board
Provide your own example (write and show)
Find and example from O.M.A.M (write and show)
Characterization/ Types of
Characters
Characterization is the art of creating
characters for a narrative, including the
process of conveying information about
them. Characters may be presented by
means of description, through their
actions, speech, or thoughts.
Direct Vs. Indirect
Characterization
There are two ways an author can convey information
about a character:
Direct characterization: The author literally tells the
audience what a character is like. This may be done via the
narrator, another character or by the character
him/herself.
Indirect characterization: The audience must infer for
themselves what the character is like through the
character’s thoughts, actions, speech (choice of words, way
of talking), looks and interaction with other characters,
including other characters’ reactions to that particular
person.
Write down your answer and hold it up for the
following:
What type of characterization does Steinbeck use?
Flat Character
A flat character is a minor character in a work of fiction
who does not undergo substantial change or growth in the
course of a story. Also referred to as static character, flat
characters play a supporting role to the main character.
These characters do not represent a fully realistic character,
although physical characteristics might be explained.
Static character stays the same throughout
Round Character
A round character in literature is one who has been fully
developed. They take on realistic identities and encompass
complex characteristics.
One who encounters conflict and is changed by it.
Dynamic characters change during the unfolding of the
story. They learn something, undergo something, or make
changes that represents their internal struggles and
overcoming them.
Symbol/Symbolism
An object or person that represents an
abstract idea or concept
George/Lennie’s Farm
Candy’s Dog
Rabbits/Mice
Please get with your groups from
yesterday
MAKE
SURE
YOU
ARE
IN
TABLES!
Today’s Objectives 9/10/2013
You will be able to:
Collaborate with peers to identify & define
literary terms
Provide examples of literary terms utilizing
prior knowledge & information/passages from
O.M.A.M
Homework: OPEN HOUSE TOMORROW
Let’s Recap…9/10/2013
Characterization – conveying information & types
of characters
Steinbeck utilizes direct (and indirect)
characterization throughout the entire novella
Flat & Static
INTERCHANGABLE
Round & Dynamic
Flat: A literary character whose personality can be defined by one or two
traits and does not change in the course of the story. Not fully explained
by the author (NOT COMPLEX/SAME PERSON)
Static: character who undergoes little or no inner change; a character who
does not grow or develop – heavier focus on moral/values and changes
inside the character, if any (Beliefs REMAIN THE SAME)
INTERCHANGABLE
Round: character in fiction whose personality, background, motives, and
other features are fully explained by the author (Details/Description)
Dynamic: a literary or dramatic character who undergoes an important
inner change, as a change in personality or attitude - heavier focus on
moral/values and changes inside the character (Beliefs CHANGE)
Lennie
George
Curley
Carlson
Candy
Slim
Curley’s wife
Crooks
The Boss
SYMBOLS/SYMBOLISM
George and Lennie’s Farm
The farm represents the possibility of freedom, self-reliance,
and protection from the cruelties of the world
Candy’s Dog
Represents the fate awaiting anyone who has outlived his or
her purpose
Lennie’s puppy
Lennie’s puppy is one of several symbols that represent the
victory of the strong over the weak
Rabbits also are important because…
Theme
The overall idea/message of a story or piece of writing
Theme Vs. Universal Idea
Examples: In Of Mice and Men
1. (Impossibility of) The American Dream
2. Ideal friendship between Males
3. The nature or human existence – strong prey on the weak
Imagery and Types
Imagery: the formation of mental images,
figures, or likenesses of things, a figurative
description or illustration. Appeals to the five
senses.  Words or phrases that use
description to create pictures, or images, in
the reader’s mind.
Visual imagery: Imagery that allows the reader
to create a “mental picture” of the scene, event
or experience. Often times visual imagery is
represented in the form of a simile, metaphor,
allusion or literal description.
Example: colors, light/darkness, shapes, sizes
Auditory
Auditory: Imagery that appeals to the
reader through sound. Words that are
used for auditory imagery imitate or
depict sound.
Example: voice, music, pitch, rhythm,
noise
Kinesthetic
Words that imitate movement
Examples: bend, tumble, stroll, sprint,
etc.
Tactile
Imagery that appeals to the reader’s
sense of touch.
Words: Hard, soft, wet, heat, warmth,
etc.
Olfactory
Imagery that appeals to the reader’s
sense of smell.
Words: Fresh, foul, sweet, rancid, etc.
On your sticky note…
Write your name at the top
Today’s Objectives 9/11/2013
You will be able to:
Collaborate with peers to identify & define
literary terms
Provide examples of literary terms utilizing
prior knowledge & information/passages from
O.M.A.M
Homework: O.M.A.M Test FRIDAY
Gustatory
Imagery that appeals to the reader’s
sense of taste.
Words: sweet, savory, spicy, sour, etc.
Determining passages with
imagery…
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is the use of hints or clues to
suggest what will happen later in literature
FOR EXAMPLE:
Foreshadowing plays a large role in indicating that
Lennie isn't going to last long. The opening scene
introduced a peaceful world, causing the reader to feel
happy and content, but at the end of the novella these
feelings are washed away . That once beautiful scene
plummets into a dark environment.
Figurative Language
Language that contains or uses figures of
speech, especially metaphors, similes,
imagery, personification, alliteration, etc.
Language that is used to describe one
thing in terms of something else—not
meant to be taken literally
Provide an example for the following:
Plot Structure – You tell me!
OF Mice and Men Review
Passages that represent imagery
Passages that foreshadow death
Characterization
Foreshadowing
Theme
The purpose of S.T.E.A.L-ing…
____________________is a character
who__________________________________________________
What is the purpose:
Provides specific information about the character.
Summarizes who they are and the purpose that they serve.
Used at a quick glance or to dive into character analysis
Today’s Objectives 9/16/2013
You will be able to:
Identify & define literary terms
Understand aspects of writing and apply
them in the future
Homework: Literary Term Quiz tomorrow!
Today’s Objectives 9/17/2013
You will be able to:
Understand aspects of writing and apply
them in the future
Correctly identify literary terms
Homework: Enjoy your Tuesday and bring
your books tomorrow
Motifs
Motifs are recurring elements that have symbolic significance in
a story. Through its repetition, a motif can help produce other
literary aspects such as theme or mood. Usually a symbol or
idea !
1.) Loneliness and Companionship
(Which character represents these themes?)
2.) Strength and weakness
(Provide an example from the text that relates to this theme)
Ambiguity
I promise I'll give you a ring tomorrow.
“Giving someone a ring" can simply mean calling them on
the telephone. But, obviously, the above sentence can also
mean giving someone a piece of jewelry worn on the finger.
The statement is, therefore, ambiguous.
Satire
Satire is used to show foolishness or vice in humans,
organizations, or even governments, by using sarcasm,
ridicule, or irony. Satire can be an entire work that uses
satire throughout.
EXAMPLE: Austin Powers the movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLKR9tCiwvA
Although satire is usually meant to be funny, its greater
purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit as a
weapon!
Juxtaposition
#The placing of elements side by side, leaving it up to the reader to
establish connections and impose a meaning.
#Juxtaposition is a literary technique in which two or more ideas,
places, characters and their actions etc. are placed side by side in a
narrative or a poem for the purpose of developing comparisons and
contrasts.
SAMPLE: John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” is clearly based on the
juxtaposition of two characters: God and Satan. Frequently in the
poem, the bad qualities of Satan and the good qualities of God are
placed side by side and comparison hence made brings to the
surface the contrast between the two characters. The juxtaposition
in the poem helps us to reach a conclusion that Satan deserved his
expulsion from the paradise because of his unwillingness to
subjugate to God’s will.
Juxtaposition continued…
William Shakespeare uses this most commonly in his play
“Romeo and Juliet”:
“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear;”
Here, the radiant face of Juliet is juxtaposed with a black
African’s dark skin. Romeo admires Juliet by saying that her face
seems brighter than brightly lit torches in the hall. He says that
at night her face glows like a bright jewel that shines against the
dark skin of an African.