Story Elements

Question 1

the specific time and place of a story

Answer 1

setting

Question 2

the unfolding of events in a story

Answer 2

plot development

Question 3

the part of the plot that provides necessary information (characterization, setting, conflict)

Answer 3

exposition

Question 4

the part of the plot in which an incident occurs that allows the climax to occur

Answer 4

rising action

Question 5

the point of the plot where either the antagonist or protagonist wins or loses

Answer 5

climax

Question 6

the part of the plot after the climax when the details and loose ends are wrapped up

Answer 6

falling action

Question 7

the struggle between the protagonist and antagonist

Answer 7

conflict

Question 8

a struggle (often a moral, mental, or physical problem) within the protagonist

Answer 8

internal conflict

Question 9

a struggle between the protagonist and an outside person or force

Answer 9

external conflict

Question 10

the central idea that dominates the story or the observation or insight about life, human behavior, or the human condition revealed by the author through the story

Answer 10

theme

Question 11

an object or sign that stands for more than itself

Answer 11

symbol

Question 12

a hint or suggestion to the reader about the outcome of the story’s action

Answer 12

foreshadowing

Question 13

an individual in a story or play - always has human traits, even if they are an animal or a god

Answer 13

character

Question 14

the main character in a story

Answer 14

protagonist

Question 15

the person or force that opposes the protagonist

Answer 15

antagonist

Question 16

one who does not change much in the course of the story

Answer 16

static character

Question 17

one who changes in some important way as a result of the story’s action

Answer 17

dynamic character

Question 18

one who has a few personality traits that can be summed up by a single phrase

Answer 18

flat character

Question 19

one who has more dimensions to their personality (is complex, just as real people are)

Answer 19

round character

Question 20

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character

Answer 20

characterization

Question 21

when we do not have to figure out what a character’s personality is like - the writer tells us directly

Answer 21

direct characterization

Question 22

when we have to exercise our own judgement, putting clues together to infer what a character is like - just as we do in real life when we are getting to know someone

Answer 22

indirect characterization

Question 23

tells the story using pronouns like I, me, my and is usually a major character in the story

Answer 23

1st person narrator

Question 24

tells the story from the ‘you’ perspective; the reader is immersed into the narrative as a character involved in the story

Answer 24

2nd person narrator

Question 25

tells the story using pronouns like he, she, and they, describes what he/she/they sees, and is usually a minor character in the story

Answer 25

3rd person spectator narrator

Question 26

tells the story using pronouns like he, she, and they while focusing on the thoughts and feelings of just one character

Answer 26

3rd person limited narrator

Question 27

tells the story using pronouns like he, she, and they, is ‘all-knowing’ and has the ability to tell what the characters are thinking and to move forward and backwards in time

Answer 27

3rd person omniscient narrator