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Literary Elements

Terms in this set (24)

plot
the events that occur in a story
setting
when and where a story takes place; time and place
conflict
a character's problem or struggle
exposition
in a story, it's the basic situation, conflict, characters, setting, and inciting incident
rising action
events leading up to the climax; complications
climax
the most exciting and emotional part of the story
falling action
events after the climax
resolution
where all the loose ends of the story are tied up; how the problem is solved
protagonist
the main character, who must overcome obstacles and resolve the conflict
antagonist
the character who works against the protagonist in the story
dynamic character
a character who changes throughout the story
direct characterization
the writer simply tells the reader about the character
static character
a character who does not change during the story.
foreshadowing
a story device: hints or clues that suggest what may happen later in a story
flashback
a story device: interrupting the plot of the story to recreate an incident of an earlier time
suspense
a story device: the anxiety a reader feels about what may happen next in a story
cliffhanger
a story device: an ending to a section, chapter, or book, that leaves the reader in suspense
character traits
words that describe a character or person on the inside
theme
the truth or central idea that a story reveals about life
point of view
the standpoint from which a story is told
inciting incident
something that changes the path of the main character and gets the story started
indirect characterization
the writer shows a character's personality through the character's thoughts, words, feelings, choices, and actions
motivation
the reason the character says or does something
dialogue
conversation between characters
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