Question | Answer |
A brief work of fiction. | Short Story |
Sequence of events in a literary work. | Plot |
A writing or speech that explains a process or presents information-introduces the characters, setting and basic situation. | Exposition |
Attention "grabber"-introduces the conflict in a work of fiction. | Narrative Hook/Inciting Incident |
All the events leading up to the climax. | Rising Action |
The highest point of interest or suspense(point of no return). | Climax |
Follows the climax-release of tension. | Falling Action |
"Tying up of loose ends"-A general insight or change is conveyed. | Denouement/Resolution |
Struggle between opposing forces. | Conflict |
Inside oneself-man vs. himself(guilt, anger, pride). | Internal Conflict |
Outside oneself-man vs. man, man vs. machine,man vs. animal, man vs. fate/supernatural, man vs. society. | External Conflict |
A person or animal that takes part in the action of a literary work. | Characters1 |
Shows only one trait (2-D). | Flat Character |
Shows many (and sometimes conflicting) traits(3-D). | Round Character |
Doesn't change during the course of the work. | Dynamic Character |
The main character/hero/heroine-the one with whom we empathize. | Protagonist |
The character who is against/opposes the main character. | Antagonist |
Directly states a character's traits(straight from the author). | Direct Characterization |
Provides clues about a character by describing looks, actions and words, as well as how other characters respond/react. | Indirect Characterization |
Perspective of the person telling the story. | Point of View |
"I". | 1st |
Only 1 character's views/thoughts. | 3rd person(linited) |
All-knowing, any characters views/thoughts. | 3rd person(omniscient) |
A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work or art. | Allusion |
A brief story about an interesting, amusing or strange event told to entertain or make a point. | Anecdote |
Conversation between characters. | Dialogue |
Portrays differences between appearance and reality(or expectation and result). | Irony |
When words are used to suggest the opposite of what is actually meant. | Verbal Irony |
When events occur that directly contradict the expectations. | Situational Irony |
The feeling created in a work. | Mood/Atmosphere |
Person telling the story. | Narrator |
Where and when the story takes place. | Setting |
A feeling of uncertainty about the outcome of an event in a work. | Suspense |
The underlying point or central message in a literary work. | Theme |
A writer's attitude-serious, humorous, etc. | Tone |
Anything that stands for something else. | Symbol |
Not meant to be interpreted literally. | Figurative Language |