Literary terms

Question 1

Basic situation

Answer 1

The first part of a plot, in which you learn who the story’s characters are and what they want.

Question 2

Conflict

Answer 2

A struggle between opposing characters or opposing forces-for example, two characters battle for a prize or a characters struggle to survive a hurricane.

Question 3

Complications

Answer 3

Problems that arise as the struggle to reach their goals

• Internal struggle
• External Struggle

Question 4

Climax

Answer 4

A story’s most emotional or suspenseful point. During the climax we learn how the conflict is resolved.

Question 5

Resolution

Answer 5

The last part of a story, in which any remaining questions are answered and loose ends of the plot are tied up.

Question 6

Suspense

Answer 6

The anxiety the reader feels about what will happen next in a story.

Question 7

Foreshadowing

Answer 7

Hints or clues suggesting what will happen later in a story. Foreshadowing is often used to build suspense.

Question 8

Plot

Answer 8

What happens in the story. Plot consists of a series of events, one growing out of another.