click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
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 |
| 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. |
| 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) |
| The central character’s opponent (creates the conflict) | 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 | In 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. |
| Direct Characterization | The author tells the reader what the character is like. |
| Indirect Characterization | The author shows the reader what the character is like through how a character looks, what the character does, what the character says, what the character thinks, or how the character affects the other characters. |
| Affect | to produce a change in or influence something. |
| Analyze | To examine something carefully in detail to understand it better |
| Evidence | Facts,,information, or proof that shows whether something is true. |
| impact | A strong effect or influence that something has on a situations or person. |
| props | objects used on stage or in a play by actors. |
| provide | to give, supply, or make something available. |
| relentless | continuing without stopping,slowing down or giving up |
| smirk | A silly, conceited, or self-satisfied smile; to smile unkind or smug |
| robert | Earns a speaking role a play by scoring at least 12/15 on his spelling test.Line:nothings wrong I can see. Anxouis of forgetting his line and getting beat up by Belinda. |
| Belinda | A mean fearless and intimidating ding classmate who frequently bullies other students. Spends much rehearsal time intimidating of Robert |
| Mrs. Bunnin | Often stress or unhappy, continually asking student to speak louder.Robet is carefully not to upset her. |
| Enternal conflict | a struggle between a character and an outside force,such as another person,nature or rules in society. |
| Internal Conflict | A struggle inside a characters mind or heart, such as making a hard decision,dealing with fear, or struggling with feelings. |