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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/conflict | 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 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) |
| * 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 has 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 | in this type of conflict, the main character experiences some type of inner conflict like making a difficult decision or dealing with a personal problem |
| character | a person, animal, or figure featured in the story |
| Dynamic character | a character who undergoes significant internal change throughout the story. This may be a change in understanding, values, insight, etc. |
| synonym | the same |
| antonym | the opposite |