| A | B |
|---|
| Conflict | Sets the plot in motion. |
| Main Effect | What is the point of the story, what effect does it have? |
| Character | Personalities that take part in the action of a story. |
| Character Traits | What defines the character; personality, looks, etc. |
| Character Motives | Why is the character doing what they are doing? |
| Setting | Particular time and place. |
| Mood | The feeling created by the story. |
| Plot | Sequence of interrelated events that make up the action. |
| Climax | The apex of the story at which point one or more issues come to a head. |
| Internal Conflict | When a character is torn over a decision. |
| External Conflict | When a character has to compete with an outside source. |
| Theme | The universal lesson or objective taught by the story. |
| Symbol | Objects, colors, people or events in the story that have a greater meaning. |
| Symbolism | When objects, colors, people or events in the story have a greater meaning. |
| Exposition | Gives the background information for the story. |
| Inciting Event | Conflict that sets the story into action |
| Falling Action | The story begins to calm down and issues untangle. |
| Resolution | The main points of conflict are resolved or fixed. |
| Direct Characterization | The author tells the reader about the character. |
| Indirect Characterization | The author shows the reader what the character is like through descriptions. |
| Structure | The format of the story. |
| Theme | The universal lesson or objective taught by the story. |
| Chronological Order | Events unfold from beginning to end |
| Pacing | Speed or rhythm of writing. |
| Flashbacks | Interrupt the order of a chronological sequence to describe earlier events. |
| Suspense | Tension created in a story by a lack of information. |
| Foreshadowing | Hints given about what is going to happen. |
| Point of View | Who are we following in the story. Where are we seeing the story from? |
| First Person | The author writes as one of the characters and the reader is limited to what one character knows, sees and feels. |
| Third Person Limited | The author is not writing as the character, but usually only allows us to know what one character at a time sees and/or feels. |
| Third Person Omnicient | The author is like a god. They allow us to see everything and know what the characters are thinking. Does not usually follow one specific character. |
| Dramatic Irony | Suspense or contradiction that occurs when the audience knows something that the character doesn't know. |
| Inferences | Suggests something, but doesn't state it outright. Author places the responsibility of connecting up to the reader. |
| Epiphany | A sudden or striking realization. |
| Situational Irony | A contradiction in situation. |
| Surprise Ending Irony | When the end of a story seems unexpected or contradictory. |
| Tone | The way in which the story is written that communicates much about the author's intent. |
| Dialect | Language spoken in a particular area. |
| Dialogue | "Characters talk!" |
| Allegory | A story that acts as a representation of a larger value or lesson. |
