This page includes the notes that I use what I have to analyze literature for my English classes. I've broken down everything that I'm supposed to analyze to make it clearer for myself, including examples of modern and classic works. I decided to post this in hopes that it could help someone else out there, too.

General:

• Plot: the sequence of events that occur in a story.
• Climax: the one event that changes the story or characters. It usually occurs near the end of short stories.
• Setting: where and when a story takes place. It is the backdrop against which the story unfolds. This could be geographical, emotional, physical, or a time period. Example: a country, a specific house, a neighborhood, etc. The setting always affects the mood.
• Theme: what the story is about or the meaning it conveys. It is the reason behind the characters' words and actions, and it usually conveys an insight into life or human motivations. The theme is not the moral of the story.
• Effect: After reading a good narrative, the reader will have been affected in some way. What was this effect? Examples: horror, surprise, etc.

Characters and Characterization:

• Methods:
• Direct characterization: author gives a descriptions in the narrative.
• Indirect characterization: the reader learns about characters through the character’s own words or the character’s actions.
• Plausibility:
• Motivation: Are the motives for that characters' actions believable? If the characters' actions or circumstances are not fully believable, then the characters must have believable motivations for the audience to accept or believe the story.
• Types of Characters: (May overlap.)
• Flat: character is only partially developed and it has only one or two traits; two-dimensional.
• Round: character is fully developed and it has more depth, detail, and complexity; three-dimensional.
• Stock: stereotypical; not much detail given because the character is already "known" and does not require much characterization. Example: the absentminded professor, the cheerleader, the mad scientist, etc.
• Static: the character remains the same throughout the story; the character doesn't undergo any significant change.
• Dynamic: the character undergoes some change that is permanent.

Conflict:

• Protagonist: the central character, not necessarily the good or bad guy.
• Antagonist: the forces opposing the protagonist. This could be another character or a different type of opposing force.
• Main types of conflict:
• Man vs. Nature: a character is placed against the forces of nature. Example: Cast Away, Hatchet
• Man vs. Man: a character mainly faces challenges brought on by other people. Example: The Prestige
• Man vs. Society: a character's main source of conflict is social traditions or concepts. Example: Pride and Prejudice, Great Expectations, A Knight's Tale
• Man vs. Himself: a character is placed against his will, fears, or confusion. Example: A Beautiful Mind, The Most Dangerous Game, Beowulf

Point of View:

• First person: the narrator is in the story.
• Second person: "You" is used.
• Third person, limited: a story is being told about a character, but the narrator is not all-knowing.
• Third person, omniscient: a story is being told about a character and the narrator can tell the reader anything about the character.

Symbolism: when something has multiple meanings or implications. Actions can sometimes be used as symbols.

• Names: What do the names of characters, towns, etc. imply?
• Objects: What impression do the objects give?


• Something is certainly a symbol if:
• A clue is given in the story
• The meaning of the symbol is supported by the context of the story.

Forms:

• Allegory: the story gives a meaning outside of the literal meaning. Example: Animal Farm, The Pilgrim's Progress
• Fable: has a moral and usually involves animals. Usually deals with the supernatural.
• Parable: a story that exists only to teach a moral lesson. Does not usually deal with the supernatural.
• Myth: an attempt to explain the unexplainable; a story that explains the mystery of the human experience through the supernatural.
• Allusion: the story is built around an allusion. A bit like a retelling, but not as obvious.

Irony:

• Verbal: something is said that means exactly the opposite.
• Dramatic: a contrast between what a characters says and what the reader knows.
• Irony of situation: the difference between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.

Style: a characteristic way that the author writes.

• Diction: the words the author uses. It can be formal, informal, or slang.
• Figurative language: things that aren't literally true, but are used to clarify. Example: metaphor, personification, etc.
• Imagery: brings things to life.
• Tone: has to do with the writer or narrator's attitude toward what is happening.
• Syntax: the way sentences are put together. Be sure to notice the use of capitalization and punctuation, also.