Literature Terms
Characteristics of Fiction
Characters – invented people who experience a series of events
Plot – a series of events experienced by characters
Conflict – a problem a character faces that sets the plot in motion
Setting – the time and place (real or imaginary) a conflict takes place
Point of View – how fiction is told, or narrated, by a character who may or may not be in the story
Theme – a message or an insight about life
Types of Fiction
Novels – long works of fiction that are usually presented in segments called chapters often featuring several characters, settings, and conflicts
Subplots – separate related stories found in a novel in addition to the plot
Novellas – works of fiction that are longer than short stories but shorter than novels
Short Stories – works of fiction that are brief enough to read in one sitting, usually focusing on one main plot that is driven by a single conflict
Characteristics of Nonfiction
Perspective – the author’s point of view in which he or she presents facts, describes true-life experiences, or discusses ideas
Audience – a specific group of readers the author writes the book for
Purpose – reason for writing
Tone – the author’s attitude toward the subject or reader
Cultural Contexts – the ideas, beliefs, and meanings of life shared by the people of a certain group
Historical Contexts – the views of people and events of a certain time
Types of Nonfiction
Literary Nonfiction – interweaves personal examples and ideas with factual information to explain, present a perspective, or describe an event or situation
Informational Text – includes expository text, persuasive text, and procedural text
Expository Text – informs or explains
Persuasive Text – presents evidence to support or oppose an argument in order to convince the reader of the author’s propositions
Procedural Text – provides data that can be used to solve a problem or perform a task
Characters – invented people who experience a series of events
Plot – a series of events experienced by characters
Conflict – a problem a character faces that sets the plot in motion
Setting – the time and place (real or imaginary) a conflict takes place
Point of View – how fiction is told, or narrated, by a character who may or may not be in the story
Theme – a message or an insight about life
Types of Fiction
Novels – long works of fiction that are usually presented in segments called chapters often featuring several characters, settings, and conflicts
Subplots – separate related stories found in a novel in addition to the plot
Novellas – works of fiction that are longer than short stories but shorter than novels
Short Stories – works of fiction that are brief enough to read in one sitting, usually focusing on one main plot that is driven by a single conflict
Characteristics of Nonfiction
Perspective – the author’s point of view in which he or she presents facts, describes true-life experiences, or discusses ideas
Audience – a specific group of readers the author writes the book for
Purpose – reason for writing
Tone – the author’s attitude toward the subject or reader
Cultural Contexts – the ideas, beliefs, and meanings of life shared by the people of a certain group
Historical Contexts – the views of people and events of a certain time
Types of Nonfiction
Literary Nonfiction – interweaves personal examples and ideas with factual information to explain, present a perspective, or describe an event or situation
Informational Text – includes expository text, persuasive text, and procedural text
Expository Text – informs or explains
Persuasive Text – presents evidence to support or oppose an argument in order to convince the reader of the author’s propositions
Procedural Text – provides data that can be used to solve a problem or perform a task