Literary Terms Flashcards
Character
person in a story, poem, or play
Setting
the time and place of a story or play
Protagonist
main character in a story
Antagonist
opposer working against the protagonist’s goals
Point of View
vantage point from which a writer tells a story
First Person
character telling story using first person pronouns, only know what the character knows
Third Person Limited
told by narrator who has no part in the story, focuses on just one character
Third Person Omniscient
told by all-knowing narrator who has no part in story
Theme
central idea of a work of literature
Conflict
struggle/clash between opposing character/forces
Internal Conflict
takes place inside characters mind (internal struggle)
External Conflict
character struggling against outside force
Plot
series of related events that make up a story/drama
Exposition
explains/gives info, defines, or clarifies idea
Rising Action
building towards greatest point of interest, climax
Climax
moment of great emotion, intensity, or suspense in a plot
Falling Action
deflate plot tension, give time to unwind
Resolution
final act in a story
Allusion
reference to something outside of the story (ex. pop culture)