Glossary

children’s literature

This refers to stories or factual writing produced for children aged under 18 and encompasses everything from picturebooks, short stories and graphic novels to biographies and dictionaries. This course’s use of the umbrella term ‘children’s literature’ includes hard-copy books with illustrations, ebooks and audiobooks, as well as literature engaged with through films, television, plays, video games or other formats.

childhood

The period of time from 0–18 years old.

dialogue

The spoken words of fictional characters within the story.

didactic

A didactic text is intended to have an instructive purpose – for example, by representing people, situations and societies in particular ways.

direct speech

When the words of characters are presented in the narrative exactly as spoken, using speech marks and a reporting clause. In the following example, the direct speech is ‘Good morning’ because those are the exact words that were spoken, and ‘she said’ is the reporting clause: ‘Good morning,’ she said. If the reporting clause is not present, it is known as free direct speech: ‘Good morning.’

free direct speech

When the words of characters are presented in the narrative exactly as spoken, using speech marks and a reporting clause. In the following example, the direct speech is ‘Good morning’ because those are the exact words that were spoken, and ‘she said’ is the reporting clause: ‘Good morning,’ she said. If the reporting clause is not present, it is known as free direct speech: ‘Good morning.’

free indirect speech

Sometimes called free indirect discourse. Refers to when the words (or thoughts) of characters are reported by the narrator, but without reporting clauses. This can make it tricky to separate the narrator’s thoughts from the character’s thoughts. For example, ‘Tom did not at once turn to see what it showed him of the clock-face. Instead he took a step forward on to the doorstep. He was staring, at first in surprise, then with indignation, at what he saw outside. That they should have deceived him—lied to him—like this!’ (from Tom’s Midnight Garden, Pearce, p. 19).

indirect speech

When the words of characters are reported by the narrator rather than directly quoted, as is the case of direct speech. An example of indirect speech is: ‘She wished him a good morning.’

narrator

In literary studies this refers to the person who tells the story, mediating between the readers and the events.

omniscient

Literally ‘all knowing’. Omniscient narrators know everything that is happening, even if the characters in the story do not. They may report on the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.

protagonist

A literary term used to refer to the main character in any story.

text

Any piece of language, whether spoken or written, long or short, which forms a unified whole.