Story Elements Flashcards
the specific time and place of a story
setting
the unfolding of events in a story
plot development
the part of the plot that provides necessary information (characterization, setting, conflict)
exposition
the part of the plot in which an incident occurs that allows the climax to occur
rising action
the point of the plot where either the antagonist or protagonist wins or loses
climax
the part of the plot after the climax when the details and loose ends are wrapped up
falling action
the struggle between the protagonist and antagonist
conflict
a struggle (often a moral, mental, or physical problem) within the protagonist
internal conflict
a struggle between the protagonist and an outside person or force
external conflict
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
theme
an object or sign that stands for more than itself
symbol
a hint or suggestion to the reader about the outcome of the story’s action
foreshadowing
an individual in a story or play - always has human traits, even if they are an animal or a god
character
the main character in a story
protagonist
the person or force that opposes the protagonist
antagonist
one who does not change much in the course of the story
static character
one who changes in some important way as a result of the story’s action
dynamic character
one who has a few personality traits that can be summed up by a single phrase
flat character
one who has more dimensions to their personality (is complex, just as real people are)
round character
the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character
characterization
when we do not have to figure out what a character’s personality is like - the writer tells us directly
direct characterization
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
indirect characterization
tells the story using pronouns like I, me, my and is usually a major character in the story
1st person narrator
tells the story from the ‘you’ perspective; the reader is immersed into the narrative as a character involved in the story
2nd person narrator
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
3rd person spectator narrator
tells the story using pronouns like he, she, and they while focusing on the thoughts and feelings of just one character
3rd person limited narrator
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
3rd person omniscient narrator
