| A | B |
|---|
| protagonist | the main character, or hero, or a story (the one we root for) |
| antagonist | any character that opposes the protagonist (often the "villain") |
| flat character | undeveloped character in a story (a "walk-on" that doesn't really affect the story) |
| round character | a well-developed character (we know many sides to this main character) |
| dynamic character | a character that CHANGES or is different by the end of the story |
| static character | a character that STAYS THE SAME by the end of the story |
| direct characterization | when a writer TELLS us exactly what a character is like |
| indirect characterization | when a writer SHOWS us what a character is like (by what they say, think, do, and by others' reactions to them) |
| epiphany | a sudden revelation; a "lightbulb" or AHA moment! |
| exposition | the situation that exists at the beginning of the story |
| conflict | a struggle between two opposing forces |
| rising action | this part of the plot is where the conflict is developed |
| climax | the point when the reader knows the outcome or the most exciting part of the story |
| falling action | the part of the story after the climax with any events leading to the resolution |
| resolution | the final outcome of the plot; all loose ends are wrapped up |
| plot | the sequence of events in a story |
| internal conflict | one of the two main types of conflict; this type of struggle is inside a character's mind (often a decision) |
| external conflict | one of the two main types of conflict; this is between a character and any type of outside force |
| suspense | tension that a reader feels about what will happen next in a story |
| foreshadowing | the use of hints or clues about future events in a story |
| flashback | when a story is interrupted to go back to an earlier period of time |
| person vs. self | the specific label for an internal conflict |
| person vs. person | an external conflict: a man fighting another man |
| person vs. nature | an external conflict: a family battling a tornado |
| person vs. society | an external conflict: a man battling an unfair law |
| person vs. fate or destiny | an external conflict: a woman fighting to not die |
| person vs. God, gods, or supernatural | an external conflict: a tribe battles Neptune, god of the sea |
| three items revealed in an exposition | setting, character(s), prior/previous events |
| setting | time, place, atmosphere, and social/historical background or framework of a story |
| atmosphere | the emotional quality of a certain place and time |
| point of view | the vantage point from which a story is told |
| omniscient point of view | "all-knowing" point of view; told by a narrator outside the story who knows the thoughts of any character |
| first-person point of view | point of view where an actual character tells the story; recognized by narrator using "I" |
| limited-third point of view | point of view when the narrator is outside the story and knows the thoughts of only ONE character |
| symbol | when an object goes on to represent something more than itself |
| irony | a discrepancy between appearance and reality |
| dramatic irony | type of irony when a reader is aware of something that a character is not |
| irony of situation | type of irony when the ending turns out opposite of what is expected (the surprise twist) |
| verbal irony | type of irony when a character says one thing but means another |
| theme | the main idea or message of a story |
