Elements of Literature

Question 1

Setting

Answer 1

the time and place where the story takes place

Question 2

Characters

Answer 2

the people, animals, or personified things that carry out the actions that make up the plot. Their individual personalities and the choices they make complicate the plot

Question 3

Protagonist

Answer 3

“the good guy”; the leading character in a story

Question 4

Antagonist

Answer 4

“the bad guy”; the character or force that causes problems for the protagonist

Question 5

Plot

Answer 5

a series of related events that make up a story; what happens in a story

Question 6

Exposition

Answer 6

tells us who the characters are and what the problem is

Question 7

Rising Action

Answer 7

complications arise as the characters takes steps to resolve the conflict

Question 8

Climax

Answer 8

the most emotional or suspenseful moment in the story

Question 9

Falling Action

Answer 9

the part of the story when the outcome is decided one way or another

Question 10

Denouement

Answer 10

the resolution of the story; when the characters’ problems are solved and the reader feels they know the whole story

Question 11

Conflict

Answer 11

the struggle or problem in the story the character has a desire to do something but there is an obstacle in the way

Question 12

Internal Conflict

Answer 12

struggle against self

1. Character vs. self

Question 13

External Conflict

Answer 13

struggle against some outside force

1. Character vs. other
2. Character vs. nature
3. Character vs. society
4. Character vs. fate/luck

Question 14

Theme

Answer 14

the idea or lesson that the author wants the reader to take from the story; the underlying message in the story

Question 15

Ways That Authors Use Theme

Answer 15

1. Use the story to point out how people in society treat others
2. Use the characters to point at how personality traits affect people’s lives
3. Use the story’s plot to point out tragedies in society
4. Use the story to teach a lesson