In Praise of Prose
By definition, prose is any writing that's not in verse form (that is, it isn't poetry). Strictly speaking, prose includes, for instance, a dictionary or a math textbook. In literary terms, however, prose deals with anecdotes, short stories, novellas, novels, or speeches.
antagonist |
the opponent to the main character (the protagonist) |
autobiography |
a lengthy work based on the life of the author |
biography |
a work detailing the events in the life of a real person, written by someone else |
characterization |
the creation of believable, well-rounded characters, and the way in which an author reveals characters' individualities |
climax |
the highest point of action in a story |
coming-of-age |
a type of novel or story in which the main character develops into adulthood |
conflict |
the struggle characters face |
dialogue |
conversation between two characters |
dystopian novel |
a novel in which the attempt to create a perfect society fails (e.g., Aldous Huxley's |
flashback |
a literary device in which readers or viewers understand that a scene happens before the current time portrayed |
flat character |
a (usually minor) character who doesn't change during the story |
first person |
a style of writing that gives the thoughts of the speaker |
first person |
a point of view in which the speaker, a character in the story or poem, tells the events from his or her perspective |
foreshadowing |
the use of hints about what will come |
man v. man |
conflict between two or more characters |
man v. nature |
conflict between a character and nature |
man v. self |
conflict within a character |
novel |
a lengthy work of fiction that contains one or more major plots and several subplots |
novella |
a work of fiction that's longer than a short story but shorter than a novel |
parable |
a short story that teaches a lesson in morality |
plot |
the pattern of events in a story, novel, or drama |
point of view |
the standpoint from which a story is told |
protagonist |
the main character, usually but not always the “good guy” |
round character |
a character who grows or changes |
second person |
a method of writing that addresses readers as you (e.g., you drive on the right) |
The second person also includes
theme |
a recurring message throughout a literary or dramatic work |
third person |
a style of writing giving the thoughts of someone other than the speaker (I) or readers (you) |
tragedy |
a drama or literary work that ends with the main character failing in valiant efforts |
tragic hero |
a character who should be great but has some sort of flaw that causes failure |
understatement |
an intentional restraint or lack of emphasis in writing, often for a humorous intention |
utopian novel |
a novel that depicts a society without any problems |
Understanding literary terms helps you understand literature itself more fully. If, for example, you understand that a work you're reading is a parable, then you can decide if the idea it's suggesting is one you agree with. Or if you know to look for foreshadowing in a novel, then your understanding of the direction of the plot might be enhanced.
Or suppose you're right in the middle of your first novel; if so, understanding what a tragic hero is might just be what you need in order to change your protagonist from a flat character to a round character and make your work the next Great American Novel.
A key to using any type of literary term in your writing is appropriateness. Your company, for example, may insist that you write in first person, so be sure you adhere to that; on the other hand, in educational settings you may be told that only writing in the third person is acceptable. Check your work to see that you've used only third person.
