Methods Of Language Analysis For Telling Stories Key Terms

Narrative Structure

The framework that outlines the sequence of events in a story, typically including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Characterization

The process by which the writer reveals the personality and traits of a character through direct description, dialogue, and actions.

Narrative viewpoint

The perspective from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive events and characters.

Pronoun

A word that replaces a noun, often indicating the person speaking, the person being spoken to, or the person being spoken about.

Lexis

The total stock of words in a language or a particular field of study.

Semantics

The study of meaning in language, including the meanings of words, phrases, and sentences.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words, often used to create rhythm or emphasis.

Intonation

The variation of pitch while speaking, which can convey different meanings or emotions.

Implicature

An implied meaning that is not explicitly stated but understood within context.

Deixis

Words or phrases that require contextual information to convey meaning, such as 'here', 'there', 'you', and 'me'.

Characterization

The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.

Narrative voice

The format or style of the narrator's voice in a story, influencing how the story is perceived.

Narrative Perspective

The viewpoint from which a story is told, influencing how events and characters are perceived.

Characterization

The method used by a writer to develop a character, including their traits, motivations, and relationships.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid mental pictures for the reader.

Foreshadowing

A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Foreshadowing

A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

Narrative voice

The format or perspective from which a story is told, influencing how the audience perceives the narrative.

Characterization

The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character through actions, dialogue, and descriptions.