| A | B |
|---|
| Characterization | How an author develops a character through actions, dialogue, thoughts, description, and relationships. |
| Protagonist | The central character whose conflict drives the work. |
| Antagonist | A character, force, or condition that opposes the protagonist. |
| Foil | A character whose differences highlight qualities in another character. |
| Point of view | The perspective from which a story is told. |
| Narrator | The voice telling the story. |
| Unreliable narrator | A narrator whose version of events cannot be completely trusted. |
| Stream of consciousness | Narration designed to imitate the flow of a character's thoughts. |
| Interior monologue | Direct presentation of a character's internal thoughts. |
| Conflict | The struggle between opposing forces. |
| Exposition | Background information needed to understand characters or circumstances. |
| Foreshadowing | Hints or clues suggesting what may happen later. |
| Flashback | A shift to events that occurred earlier. |
| In medias res | Beginning a narrative in the middle of the action. |
| Climax | A major turning point or moment of greatest tension. |
| Resolution / Denouement | The portion after the climax in which conflicts are settled or clarified. |
| Frame narrative | A story that contains another story within it. |
| Pacing | The speed at which a narrative moves through events. |
| Shift | A significant change in tone, perspective, setting, time, argument, imagery, or focus. |
