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ELA: Literary Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Plot | The sequence of events in a story--beginning, middle, and end. |
| Exposition | The beginning of the story where the main characters and initial conflicts are introduced. The setting of the story (time, place, weather, culture etc.). |
| Rising Action | Events that lead up to the climax. They help create tension and suspense, and there may be more conflicts. |
| Climax | The turning point of the story; the moment of tension, emotion, or suspense that determines the resolution. The main conflict is addressed. |
| Falling Action | Eases the tension and shows how the main character resolves the conflict. |
| Resolution/Conclusion | The end of the story is typically where the main conflict is resolved. |
| Conflict: | problem, fight, or struggle between characters, society, nature, or internally within. |
| Setting- | Where and when the story takes place (including the time, place, weather, culture, customs, and traditions). |
| Narrative | story |
| Protagonist- | The central character is usually involved in a conflict against the antagonist. May also be known as the hero, and typically undergoes change/growth. |
| Antagonist: | The central character’s opponent (creates the conflict) |
| Conflict: | problem, fight, or struggle between characters, society, nature, or internally within. |
| Character vs. Character: | This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not human. |
| Character vs. Nature | This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist. |
| Character vs. Society: | This type of conflict has the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture, school, etc. |
| Character vs. Self: | n this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict like making a difficult decision or dealing with a personal problem. |
| Character: | a person, animal, or figure featured in a story. |
| Dynamic Character: | A character who undergoes a significant internal change throughout the story. This may be a change in understanding, values, insight, etc |
| Static Character: | A character who does NOT undergo a significant change throughout a story. |
| Theme | The central idea or message about life that is expressed in the story. |
| Foreshadowing | Hints or clues about future events. |
| Characterization | the means through which an author reveals a character’s personality. Characterization may be direct or indirect. |
| Envision | to imagine to form a picture in the mind of something that has not happened yet |
| Revise | to look back and change to correct and improve |
| Supervise | to direct or oversee to look after and take care of |
| Visible | able to be seen or perceived |
| Prospect | to look for to explore and search for mineral deposits |
| Respect | admiration, high regard |
| Spectator | onlooker, one who watches an event without taking part |
| spectacle | a strikingly grand or unusual sight |
| spectacular | impressive to look at, remarkable |
| synonym | the same |
| antonym | the opposite |