| A | B |
|---|
| plot | the action or the sequence of related events |
| character | a person or animal that takes part in the action of a literary work |
| point of view | the vantage point from which a story is told |
| setting | time and place of a story |
| theme | main idea that a writer is trying to convey to his readers |
| exposition | part of the plot that provides setting, introduces characters, and establishes situation |
| conflict | a struggle between opposing forces |
| climax | the high point or turning point in a story |
| resolution | part of the story's plot line in which the problem of the story is resolved or worked out |
| suspense | a feeling of uncertainty about the outcome of events |
| rising action | second part of the plot where the situation gets complicated or the conflict intensifies |
| falling action | the fourth part of the plot in which the complications are untangled |
| foreshadowing | giving hints of clues of what is to come later in a story |
| external conflict | the main character struggles against an outside force |
| internal conflict | a character struggles with himself |
| direct characterization | the author directly states the character's traits |
| indirect characterization | the author provides clues about a character by describing what a character looks like, does, and says |
| stereotype | a common belief by a group that presents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment |
| simile | a comparison of two unlike things using LIKE or AS |
| metaphor | a comparison of two unlike things, She is my sunshine. |
| static character | a character who does not change |
| dynamic character | develops or grows throughout the story |
| first person | the character tells the story "I" |
| third person | a voice outside of the story that narrates |
| limited third person | a narrator who sees the world through one character's eyes |
| omniscient | a narrator who sees the actions of ALL characters |
| inference | a conclusion made from facts in the story |
| dramatic irony | the reader sees a character's mistakes or misunderstandings, but the character himself does not |
| verbal irony | when someone says one thing but means something completely different |
| situational irony | a great difference in what was expected and what happened |
| symbolism | person, place, or thing used to represent something else |
| motivation | the reason a character does what he does |
| dilemma | a situation involving a choice |
| sequence | the order in which things happen |
| perspective | how something is mentally viewed by a character |
| personification | an object or animal that is given human characteristics |
| monologue | a dramatic sketch performed by one actor |
| allusion | a reference to history, the Bible, a myth, literature, paintings, music |
| alliteration | the repetition of consonant sounds |
