STAAR Prep Vocabulary Flashcards
Exposition
the introduction of the story, where the main characters or other elements are introduced
Rising action
events leading to the main event/problem of the story
Turning point/Climax
the most exciting part of the story
Falling action
events that lead to the problem/conflict being solved
Resolution
events that bring the story to a close (also known as denouement)
Theme/central message
the underlying message of a story, poem, or play
Internal conflict
a struggle that takes place in a character’s mind (ex.: man vs. self;
External conflict
a struggle between a character and an outside force (ex.: man vs. character, man vs. nature, and man vs. society, man vs. fate)
Protagonist
the main character in a story or play, usually the hero of the story
Antagonist
the character or a force in conflict with the main character, usually the villain
First person point of view
a character in the story is the narrator and is telling the story; Pronouns: uses I, me, we
Third person limited point of view
focuses on only ONE character’s actions, emotions, and thoughts; uses character’s names, he, she, it, they, him, her
Third person objective point of view
focuses on every character’s actions but NOT the emotions and thoughts – the narrator sees and hears everything; uses character’s names, he, she, it, they, him, her
Third person omniscient point of view
knows the actions, emotions, and thoughts of every character – the narrator knows EVERYTHING; uses character’s names, he, she, it, they, him, her
Foreshadowing
When the author gives a hint about something that will happen
Example: The children saw the sign that said, “Danger! Do not enter!” but they went inside the abandoned building anyway.
