Plot + Setting Flashcards
Plot
A short story or novel consists of several basic events that form a whole narrative.
Narrative
A story.
Conflicts
The tension, opposition, or struggle that drives a plot.
Exposition
The beginning of a narrative where we learn important background information about the characters, the setting, and the situation, and we may begin to understand the nature of the conflict.
Rising Action
After an inciting incident or significant event, the conflict becomes more clear, and the main character starts to experience complications.
Climax
The point at which the story’s suspense, emotions, and tensions peak is the climax. Critical turning point.
Falling Action
Details the effects of what happens at the climax of the narrative, and the conflict comes to a point of resolution.
Denouement
The shortest part of the plot. Expresses a sort of “moral of the story”.
In Medias Res
middle of the action
Flashbacks
During which a narrator explains what had happened prior to the story’s beginning.
Foreshadowing
Hint at events to come.
Suspense
A literary device that uses tension to make the plot more exciting.
Tragedy
A serious dramatic work in which the protagonist experiences a series of unfortunate reversals due to some character trait, referred to as a tragic flaw.
Resolution
The working out of a plot’s conflicts, following the climax.
Comedy
Usually used to refer to a dramatic work that has a light, amusing plot, features a happy ending, centers around ordinary people, and is written and performed in the vernacular.
