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| plot | the sequence of events in a story that develop a central conflict and its resolution; the writer’s map for what happens, how it happens, to whom it happens, and when it happens |
| setting | the time and place of the action of a story |
| characterization | the method a writer uses to develop and illustrate the traits of characters |
| theme | an important message, concern, or idea expressed by the author; usually be expressed as a generalization, or a general statement, about human beings or about life; not a summary of its plot |
| point of view | perspective, or vantage point, from which a story is told; established by a narrator who is either outside the story or a character in the story |
| symbolism | a literary technique that uses concrete people, places, things, or actions to represent abstract ideas |
| foreshadowing | a literary technique in which the author uses clues to prepare readers for events that will happen in a story |
| mood | the emotional quality or atmosphere of a story or poem; described using emotional terms such as depressing, exciting, relaxing, etc. |
| irony | a literary technique in which the intended meaning of the words used is the opposite of their literal meaning |
| simile | a figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared using the word “like” or “as” followed by a figurative example; something is indirectly said to BE SIMILAR TO something else |
| metaphor | a figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared without using “like” or “as”; something is directly said to BE something else |
| personification | a figure of speech in which an animal, object, or idea is given human form or characteristics |
| alliteration | a literary technique that uses the repetition of initial consonant sounds to draw attention to certain words or ideas, to imitate sounds, and to create musical effects |
| allusion | a figure of speech that refers to a well-known character, place, or situation in history, politics, or science or from another work of literature, music, or art to draw attention to certain words or ideas, to activate prior knowledge, and/or to create fuller understanding through association |
| imagery | a literary technique that uses descriptive words to appeal to the readers’ five senses: sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing; most often authors use this highly descriptive language to appeal to readers’ sense of sight |
| flashback | a literary technique that is an interruption in a chronological narrative that tells about something that happened before that point in the story or before the story began; gives readers information that helps to explain the main events of the story |
| protagonist | main character; often (but not always) the “good guy” or the character that readers root for |
| antagonist | a character or force in conflict with the protagonist |
| plot example | Peter Parker, a nerdy teenage scientist, is bitten by a spider that gives him super spider powers. His uncle is killed when he refuses to use his powers to stop a thief and he dedicates his life to fighting crime as Spider-Man. He soon finds out that the Green Goblin will hurt anyone he loves to get to him, but decides to fight evil anyway. Spider-Man kills the Green Goblin and saves Mary Jane. |
| setting example | New York, 2006 |
| characterization example | Peter Parker wasn't a big guy. In fact, he was a weak looking teenager with thick glasses. This didn't stop him from following Mary Jane Watson around the museum, being very sweet to her as he took picture after picture. |
| theme example | With great power comes great responsibility. |
| symbolism example | Spider-Man's costume stands for Peter Parker's alter-ego. Where Parker is weak, Spider-Man is strong. |
| foreshadowing example | As they began to eat Thanksgiving dinner, Harry's father noticed a cut on Peter's arm. He smiled an evil smile and left the table abruptly. |
| mood example | Perched on the Statue of Liberty, Spider-Man surveys the city he protects, poised to leap into action. |
| irony example | Peter Parker slips on a banana peel and Harry says "Smooth move, Ex-Lax." |
| simile example | The Green Goblin flew in behind Spider-Man like an eagle about to catch a mouse. |
| metaphor example | Mary Jane Watson is a fox. |
| personification example | Aunt May's door moaned as the Green Goblin's pumpkin bomb kicked it in. |
| alliteration example | The Green Goblin grabbed Jonah Jameson's jugular. |
| allusion example | When Spider-Man fought the Green Goblin it was D-Day in the streets of New York. |
| imagery example | Spider-Man's muscles rippled as he lifted the concrete slab and hurled it at the Green Goblin. It smacked the Goblin with an enormous thud, setting his glider on fire. The smell of burning fuel filled the air. |
| flashback example | When Spider-Man catches the man who killed his uncle Ben, he remembers the thief he let go by and realizes it's the same person. |
| protagonist example | Spider-Man or Peter Parker |
| antagonist example | the Green Goblin |
| internal trait | a trait inside the character’s mind; mental qualities such as intelligence, attitude, morals, and feelings |
| external trait | a trait outside the character’s mind; physical qualities such as gender, appearance, job, or physical skills |
| internal trait example | Peter Parker is hopelessly in love with Mary Jane Watson, showing that he's sensitive and romantic. |
| external trait example | J. Jonah Jameson is always smoking a cigar, has a buzz cut and big mustache, and shouts a lot. |
| conflict | a struggle between a character and opposing characters or forces in the story |
| internal conflict | a problem that takes place within the mind of a character, such as working to make a decision, take an action, or overcome a feeling: character vs. self |
| external conflict | a problem that takes place outside the mind of a character; usually against some outside force, such as another person or a hurricane; character vs.nature, character vs. character, character vs. society |
| climax | the emotional peak of the action in a story; the high point of tension, interest, or suspense; a major turning point in the plot, or a moment when the protagonist’s fate is decided; followed by the falling action |
| resolution | the way the central conflict is resolved; follows the falling action |
| point of view, first person | a point of view that is told by a character inside the story and uses the first-person pronoun “I” |
| point of view, third person | a point of view that is told by a character outside the story and uses third-person pronouns such as “he” and “she” to refer to the characters; does not share the inner thoughts or feelings of any characters |
| tone | the attitude of the narrator toward the subject, ideas, theme, or characters; a factual article would most likely have an objective tone, while an opinionated article on the same topic could be argumentative or satiric |
| conflict example | Peter Parker struggles to do the right thing and make himself happy at the same time while fighting against criminals. |
| internal conflict example | Peter Parker has to decide between saving innocent people from evil and protecting the people he loves. |
| external conflict example | Spider-Man and the Green Goblin punch, kick and fight each other to the death. |
| climax example | Spider-Man chooses to save both Mary Jane and the group of innocent people who the Green Goblin has captured. |
| resolution example | Spider-Man defeats the Green Goblin and Peter Parker decides to distance himself from Mary Jane in order to protect her. |
| first person point of view | "I couldn't let my powers go unused, so I decided to become Spider-Man." |
| third person point of view | "Peter couldn't let his powers go unused, so he decided to become Spider-Man." |
