NARRATIVE TERMS

PLOT Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story, or the main part of a story. These events relate to each other in a pattern or a sequence. 

Plot, continued Exposition – the beginning of the story where the characters and setting are introduced

Rising Action – the bulk of the story (where most events take place) events leading up to the climax

Climax – The turning point of the story Climax – The turning point of the story. If this event did NOT happen, we would NOT have an interesting story.

Falling Action – the events that come directly after the climax

Denouement/Resolution – the last part of a story; this is where all conflict is resolved. It is usually only the last or last TWO events in a story.

Protagonist The leading character or one of the major characters

Antagonist a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.

Conflict A conflict in literature is defined as any struggle between opposing forces. Usually, the main character struggles against some other force. This type of conflict is what drives each and every story. Without it, the story would have no point or purpose.

Internal Conflict are internal battles that characters wage within themselves; these are internal issues that affect their actions, motivations and interactions.

External Conflict Where the character battles something outside of themselves

Human vs. Human a struggle between two opposing forces, usually a protagonist and an antagonist

Human vs. nature The character battles a hostile environment

Human vs. Society characters’ firm beliefs are against norms that the entire society as a whole endorses.

Setting Where the story takes place

point of view – who’s telling the story 1st person – someone in the story is telling the story (uses I/me/we/us)

POV, cont’d 3rd person – someone who is NOT in the story is telling the story (uses he/she/them)

THEME A truth about life or people that we discover as we share the characters’ experiences

And… DONE!

Main Idea Most important information showing the overall understanding

Motivation of character “Why does the character do _______?” EX – why does Katniss volunteer for the hunger games?

Motif Common features in a piece of literature EX – The Hunger Games: fire; Harry Potter: darkness

Summarize Telling the most important information in a text or piece of literature EX – summarize Frozen

Foreshadowing Clues hinting at what will happen next Can you think of your own example?

Irony Convey (or show) a meaning that is opposite of the literal meaning.

Tone The feeling the AUTHOR presents with his/her words EX – solemn, sad, enthusiastic, sarcasm

Mood The feeling that YOU, THE READER, gets after reading EX – Are you happy? Anxious? CONFUSED IS NOT A MOOD

Simile Comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’ EX - You are as beautiful as a sunset.

Metaphor Comparison not using ‘like’ or ‘as’ EX – Your eyes are the ocean.

Suspense Makes listeners wonder what will happen next (Anxious, curious, scared) Suspense can occur in stories that are not scary.

Anachronism When a person, thing, or idea from a different historical period is used in a story Can you think of any on your own?

Allusion Making a reference to another person, place, event or literary work.

Inference Educated guessed based on information you already have. EX - If someone has a Lamborghini or a Porsche, you might make an inference that they have a lot of money.

Flashback When the narrator goes back to an earlier time to tell a story that relates to the main story.

Symbol Persons, places, or things that function as themselves but also stand for larger ideas. EX – Harry Potter: phoenix; The Hunger Games: mockingjay