Creative Writing Midterm Vocab

The sequence of events that occur in a narrative, as organized by the author

The way in which the various formal elements of a literary work are organized; the architecture of a story.

• A style of art or literature in which the work is stripped down to its most essential feature.
• The revelation of only as much information as is absolutely necessary.

The characteristic way an author expresses his or her ideas with language and literary techniques.

The first phrase or sentence in a prose passage.

The repetition or echoing of significant elements in a narrative. This can create a sense of unity in the composition and can guide the reasder's attention to what is important in a text.

The climax or turning point in a literary text, generally preceded by a build-up of tension and followed by resolution.

THe major turning point in a narrative; the point of greatest intensity and significance

A movement in the arts beginning in the latter part of the 20th century which is notoriously difficult to define but is often associated, in literature, with the floowing: fragmentation, parody, pastiche

A work of fiction that self-consciously draws attention to itself as a work of fiction. Often associated with postmodernism, but examples of metafiction also occur in many other literary movements.

A passage or commentary that strays from the main flow of ideas or action in a text.

The use of contrasting characters to intensify the dramatic conflict or to help define each character more precisely

• The main character in a narrative.
• The character who opposes or is in conflict with the protagonist, or main character.

Also called "stream of consciousness," a passage in a narrative that presents the disorganized thoughts and fleeting impressions of a character.

Greek word meaning imitation of reality, or mimicry.

A narrative that seems to pursue a chain of distinct episodes rather than working through one central conflict.

A work of drama or literature that ridicules its subject matter through exaggerated mockery and broad comedy.

A sensational type of drama associated with extremes of emotion and using simplified heroes and villains that represent absolute good and evil.

The central idea contained in a literary work, distinct from but understood through the plot, subject matter, characters, and stylistic devices.

The perspective from which the story is observed via vision and insights of one character.

All-knowing perspective from which the story is observed.

Comparison without using like or as

• In religion, the moemnt when a divine being suddenly appears.
• In narrative, the moment when a significant truth or the essence of something is suddenly revealed to a character.

The attitude or atmosphere of a text, as expressed through the author's word choice, selection of details, imagery, prose style

To leave out, omit

Short words

Andrea Barrett

John Barth

Charles Baxter

Raymond Carver

Richard Ford