AP English Literature: Unit 1 - Essentials of Short Fiction

Direct Characterization

The narrator explicitly describes the character's traits.

Indirect Characterization

Readers must infer traits based on evidence from STEAL: Speech, Thoughts, Effect on Others, Actions, and Looks.

Protagonist

The central character driving the action.

Antagonist

The force opposing the protagonist.

Foil

A supporting character whose traits contrast sharply with the protagonist.

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes a significant internal change or epiphany.

Static Character

A character who remains unchanged throughout the narrative.

Round Character

A complex, multi-dimensional character with psychological depth.

Flat Character

A one-dimensional character defined by a single trait or stereotype.

Internal Conflict

Competing values or desires within the character.

External Conflict

Obstacles from outside forces that hinder a character's motivations.

Setting

The backdrop of the story, encompassing physical location, time period, and social/cultural environment.

Mood

The feeling the reader gets from the description of the setting.

Freytag’s Pyramid

A structure used to outline the classic narrative arc: Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.

In Media Res

Starting a story in the middle of things without exposition.

Flashback (Analepsis)

Interrupting current events to show the past.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about future events.

Stream of Consciousness

A narrative mode that depicts the multitude of thoughts and feelings of a narrator.

First-Person POV

A narrative perspective where the story is told using 'I,' providing an intimate, subjective experience.

Third-Person Limited POV

A narrative perspective focusing on the thoughts and feelings of only one character.

Third-Person Omniscient POV

A narrative perspective where the narrator knows everything about all characters.

Perspective

The specific worldview, values, and background that influence how events are perceived.

Thesis Statement

A defensive claim that goes beyond summarizing the plot.

Weak Thesis Example

In 'The Story of an Hour,' the author uses irony to show the character is sad.

Strong Thesis Example

Through the use of dramatic irony and shifting narrative perspective, Chopin portrays the protagonist's grief as a complex catalyst for fleeting joy.

Claim - Evidence - Commentary Structure

A method for body paragraphs: make a claim, provide evidence, and explain its significance.

Common Mistake: Summary over Analysis

Retelling the story instead of explaining how the author creates meaning.

Common Mistake: Armchair Psychology

Diagnosing characters with modern mental illnesses instead of analyzing them as literary constructs.

Common Mistake: Floating Quotes

Inserting quotes into paragraphs without proper integration or context.

Symbolism in Looks

Physical appearance, clothing, and mannerisms of a character that often symbolize internal states.

Social/Cultural Environment

Norms, class structure, and expectations that shape character and setting.

Micro vs. Macro Setting

The contrast between a character's immediate environment and the broader world around them.

Character Motivation

The driving force behind a character's actions, often influenced by desires and needs.

Conflict in Literature

The struggle between opposing forces that propels the narrative forward.

Moralizing in Analysis

Judging characters simply as good or bad instead of analyzing their motivations.

Unreliable Narrator

A first-person narrator whose credibility is compromised due to bias or other factors.

Climax of a Narrative

The turning point or moment of highest tension in the story.

Falling Action

The aftermath of the climax where loose ends begin to wrap up.

Resolution (Dénouement)

The final outcome where a new status quo is established.

Character Evolution

The process of a character changing significantly throughout the story.

Character Arc Visualization

A visual representation of a character's journey throughout the narrative.