1. LITERARY ELEMENTS ENGLISH 12

2. PLOT  Describes the structure of the story. It shows the arrangement of events and actions within a story.

3. EXPOSITION  The start of the story, the situation before the action occurs.

4. RISING ACTION  The series of conflict and crisis in the story that lead to the climax.

5. CLIMAX  The turning point, the most intense moment.

6. FALLING ACTION  All of the action which follows the climax.

7. RESOLUTION  The conclusion, the tying up of all loose ends.

8. CONFLICT  The dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot!

9. TYPES OF CONFLICT  Internal-Within one’s self  External-Outside of one’s self

10. SUBTYPES OF CONFLICT  Character vs. Character (External)  Character vs. Nature (External)  Character vs. Society (External)  Character vs. Self (Internal)

11. SETTING  The time and place in which the story takes place.

12. POINT OF VIEW  The point of view from which the story is told.  Types: Omniscient Limited Omniscient First Person

13. THEME  The central idea of the story.

14. SYMBOLISM  A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself.

15. CHARACTERIZATION  The method used by a writer to develop a character.  Types of characterization: Direct Indirect

16. CHARACTER  Protagonist  Antagonist

17. FORESHADOWING  Early clues about what will happen in a later piece of fiction.

18. IRONY  A difference between what is expected and reality.

19. FLASHBACK  Starts in present day and goes back to the past.

20. TONE  The author’s attitude toward a subject.

21. MOOD  The climate of feeling in the story.

22. SIMILE  Comparison using like or as.

23. METAPHOR  Comparison is not announced with like or as.

24. ALLITERATION  Repeating consonant sounds.

25. PERSONIFICATION  Giving the qualities of a person to an object, animal, or idea.

26. ONOMATOPOEIA  Words that mimic sounds.

27. HYPERBOLE  An exaggerated statement to heighten effect.