Literary Concepts Quiz

A direct connection between a sign and its referent; it's physically or causally linked.

When a sign represents something based on convention or learned association.

Meanings are related through substitution or associative connections.

A sign that resembles, mimics, or imitates what it represents.

A framework for categorizing and organizing media based on common characteristics.

Cultures without a written language.

Film that challenges, subverts, or re-imagines conventions, often shown outside normal film distribution.

The choices made in a film about what is included or excluded within the visual frame.

A figure of speech where something is referred to by the name of something closely related to it, instead of its actual name.

A figure of speech where one thing is said to be something else, even though it’s not literally true.

A figure of speech or logical reasoning device that shows how two different things are similar in certain respects.

Permanent and can be continually revisited and re-read.

How the sequence of events is organized into a story with a particular structure.

A character's sense of self-importance or identity; how they see themselves and how much they care about their own value or image.

The part of a person's mind that drives basic, instinctual desires and urges; what we want right now without thinking about consequences.

The part of a person's mind that helps them follow rules, morals, and societal expectations; like a conscience, telling you what’s right and wrong, and making you feel guilty if you do something bad.

Different ways a story moves from one moment to the next, including subject-to-subject, scene-to-scene, and aspect-to-aspect.

Story is the chronological sequence of events, while plot is the arranged order presented to the audience.

Genre establishes expectations for narrative elements like structure, themes, and character types, influencing tone, pacing, and visuals.

The central character who drives the story and faces challenges.

The character who opposes the protagonist, creating conflict.

Analyzing the structure, content, and language of a narrative within a specific medium.

Analyzing the historical, social, and cultural influences on the story's creation.

Examining how audiences interpret and engage with a narrative in various media.

Barthes' theory that text can either support or contradict the meaning of an image, influencing how viewers interpret it.

The typical elements that characterize a genre, like setting, character types, and plot structure.

Visual symbols that are strongly associated with a genre, such as guns in Westerns.

How a genre aligns with or challenges the audience's anticipation of themes, tone, and narrative outcomes.

In oral cultures, words are seen as powerful tools that can shape reality, communicate cultural values, and even change things

Writing allows for externalizing thoughts, making it possible to reflect on and analyze ideas that were previously ephemeral or oral.

Key features of the modern novel include character development, narrative innovation, and social commentary.

Radio is called a 'blind medium' because it relies solely on sound, without visual elements. This makes sound critical for creating atmosphere and conveying emotions.

A type of storytelling where narratives unfold over multiple episodes or seasons, developing characters and plots gradually.

Modern TV shows feature characters with morally ambiguous traits and multi-layered personalities, often exploring their internal conflicts.

Contemporary TV narratives often use flashbacks, multiple points of view, and non-linear timelines to create intrigue and engage viewers.

Streaming services like Netflix and HBO have enabled longer, more complex TV series with deeper narratives, breaking free from traditional broadcast limitations.

Modern-day TV shows often address complex social and political issues, reflecting contemporary concerns and sparking discussions.

High-quality TV productions with larger budgets have allowed for more ambitious storytelling, intricate themes, and sophisticated writing.

The invention of print made books more affordable and accessible, spreading knowledge beyond the elite. This led to increased literacy and public education, allowing more people to learn and engage with new ideas.

Printed texts became uniform, preserving knowledge more accurately than handwritten manuscripts. This helped stabilize languages, ensured consistency in religious texts, and contributed to the growth of scientific knowledge.

Print revolutionized storytelling by making literature widely available. It enabled the creation of novels, plays, and newspapers, which reached broader audiences, democratizing entertainment and ideas.

The printing press sparked the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment, facilitating the rapid spread of revolutionary ideas and challenging established authorities like the Church.

Print empowered individuals to engage in public discourse, fostering the rise of political pamphlets, newspapers, and novels that addressed social, political, and philosophical issues, thus shaping modern society.

Narrative forms like epic poetry and romances, which existed before the 17th century, laid the groundwork for the development of the novel.

The invention of print had profound effects on human society, especially in the areas of knowledge dissemination and storytelling. Key impacts include wider access to knowledge, standardization of texts, expansion of storytelling, cultural and intellectual movements, and social change.

The history of the novel evolved through several key periods, including early forms, the rise of realism, modernist experimentation, and postmodern deconstruction.