Words Related to Literature - Narratology
Here you will learn some English words related to narratology such as "climax", "cliffhanger", and "sequel".
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bathos
[noun]
a literary device in which an attempt at serious or elevated writing or speech is undermined by an incongruous or absurd use of language or imagery
climax
[noun]
the most significant moment in a story, play, movie, etc. with a high dramatic suspense
Chekhov's gun
[noun]
a literary principle that states that every element introduced in a story must be necessary and relevant to the plot or it should be removed
comic relief
[noun]
a literary technique that uses humor to interrupt serious or tragic scenes in order to provide a temporary release from emotional tension
contrivance
[noun]
a plot device or a literary technique that is used to resolve a difficult or complicated situation in an unexpected and somewhat unrealistic way
denouement
[noun]
the last section of a literary or dramatic piece where the plot is concluded and all the matters of the work is explained
deus ex machina
[noun]
a literary device where a sudden and unexpected event or character is introduced to resolve a problem in a story
embellishment
[noun]
the act of adding extra details or exaggerating certain aspects of a story or description to make it more interesting or appealing
dangler
[noun]
a plot or character element that is introduced but never fully explained or resolved, leaving the audience with unanswered questions or loose ends
setting
[noun]
the time and place in which the story of a movie, play, etc. is taking place
cliffhanger
[noun]
an ending to an episode of a series that keeps the audience in suspense
premise
[noun]
the basic idea, concept, or foundation upon which a story is built, and often includes the central conflict, characters, setting, and overall tone or genre of the narrative
theme
[noun]
a recurring element that is the main idea or subject in a literary or artistic piece
poetic license
[noun]
the freedom to deviate from facts, rules or conventional forms practiced by an artist or author in order to gain a desired effect
sequel
[noun]
a book, movie, play, etc. that continues and extends the story of an earlier one
spoiler
[noun]
unwanted information about how the plot of a movie, game, book, etc. develops or ends that can ruin one's enjoyment
stream of consciousness
[noun]
the continuous flow of thoughts, feelings, and sensations of a character in a seemingly unstructured and spontaneous manner
subplot
[noun]
a series of events in a novel, movie, etc. that is separate from the main story and is less important but is linked to it
swashbuckling
[noun]
a genre of literature, film, or entertainment that features action-packed adventures of daring swordplay, romance, and excitement, often set in historical or fantastical settings
synopsis
[noun]
a brief summary or overview of the plot, characters, and major events of a book, movie, or other narrative work
trope
[noun]
a common or recurring theme, motif, or device that is used in literature, art, or other forms of creative expression
vignette
[noun]
a brief, impressionistic scene or sketch in literature or film that focuses on a particular moment or character
writer's block
[noun]
a condition experienced by writers in which they are unable to produce new written material, despite having the desire or obligation to do so
filler
[noun]
any material in a narrative that serves to pad or extend the length of the story without advancing the plot or developing the characters
flashback
[noun]
a scene in a story line that interrupts the chronological order and takes the narrative back in time
frame story
[noun]
a literary technique in which an introductory narrative serves as a frame for another story or a series of shorter stories
interior monologue
[noun]
a literary device that reveals a character's inner thoughts and feelings directly to the reader
to kill off
[verb]
to cause the death of a character in a work of fiction, typically for dramatic effects or to advance the plot
linear narrative
[noun]
a type of storytelling in which events are presented in a sequential and chronological order, following a cause-and-effect pattern and progressing toward a resolution or endpoint
nonlinear narrative
[noun]
a type of storytelling that does not follow a chronological sequence, instead jumping back and forth in time or presenting events out of order
interactive narrative
[noun]
a type of storytelling that allows the audience or user to actively participate in the story, making decisions that affect the direction or outcome of the narrative
longueur
[noun]
a tedious or boring section of a work of literature or other artistic work, characterized by a lack of action, tension, or interest
love triangle
[noun]
a relationship dynamic commonly found in stories, where three characters are romantically involved with each other in a way that creates tension, conflict, and difficult choices
mcguffin
[noun]
(film) a plot element that catches the viewers' attention or drives the plot
to mythologize
[verb]
to create or embellish a story or a person's life with mythological or heroic elements
narration
[noun]
the way of telling or explaining a story, particularly in a movie, novel, etc.
narrative
[noun]
a story or an account of something especially one that is told in a movie, novel, etc.
narrative thread
[noun]
a plotline or a story element that runs throughout a larger narrative, connecting different events and characters together, often with a unifying theme or motif
pace
[noun]
the rhythm, tempo, and speed at which a story unfolds, and how it affects the audience's engagement and emotional response to the narrative
to personify
[verb]
to attribute human characteristics, traits, or qualities to a non-human object, concept, or animal
plot
[noun]
the events that are crucial to the formation and continuity of a story in a movie, play, novel, etc.
plot drift
[noun]
a situation where the plot of a story deviates from its original trajectory
plot hole
[noun]
an apparent mistake or inconsistency in the narrative of a book, motion picture, etc.
plot twist
[noun]
a sudden and unexpected development in the storyline of a narrative, often at a crucial moment
plot device
[noun]
a narrative element, often used in literature or film, that is employed by the author or screenwriter to advance the story or create a particular effect
red herring
[noun]
anything that is intended to take people's focus away from what is important
eucatastrophe
[noun]
a term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien to describe a sudden and unexpected turn of events in a story that results in a positive and joyful outcome
flashforward
[noun]
an instance of showing a scene or event that will happen later in a movie, TV episode, etc. interrupting the chronological order of the plot
in medias res
[adverb]
a literary technique in which a narrative begins in the middle of the story, rather than at the beginning
narrative hook
[noun]
a literary device used at the beginning of a story to capture the reader's attention and engage their interest
poetic justice
[noun]
a situation in which one believes that an unfortunate event that has happened to someone is well deserved
ticking time bomb scenario
[noun]
a hypothetical situation which presents a moral dilemma where a person or authority must decide whether to use extreme measures to prevent a catastrophic event from occurring
defamiliarization
[noun]
a literary technique used to make the familiar seem unfamiliar or strange in order to encourage the reader to see the world in a new way
multiperspectivity
[noun]
a narrative technique in which a story is told from multiple perspectives or points of view
conflict
[noun]
the struggle between opposing forces in a story, which drives the narrative forward and creates tension and drama
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