1. NARRATIVE TERMS

2. 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. 

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

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

5. 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.

6. Falling Action – the events that come directly after the climax

7. 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.

8. Protagonist
The leading character or one of the major characters

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

10. 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.

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

12. External Conflict
Where the character battles something outside of themselves

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

14. Human vs. nature
The character battles a hostile environment

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

16. Setting
Where the story takes place

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

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

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

20. And… DONE!

21. Main Idea
Most important information showing the overall understanding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

32. 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?

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

34. 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.

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

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