Story Structure Flashcards
anachrony
The literary technique of presenting material out of chronological order.
anticlimax
Descent, usually sudden, from a higher to a lower emotional point — from a topic or tone with greater drama or significance to one with less impact or importance. Anticlimax typically results in the disappointment or even reversal of expectations.
climax
The point of greatest tension or emotional intensity in a plot.
conflict
A confrontation or struggle between opposing characters or forces in the plot, from which the action emanates and around which it revolves.
exposition
The weaving into the plot of essential prior matters, such as past events. Helps to develop context.
flashback
A scene that interrupts the present action in a narrative to depict some earlier event via reverie, remembrance, dreaming, or some other mechanism.
foreshadowing
The technique of introducing material that prepares the reader for future events, actions, or revelations.
intrigue
When a character initiates a scheme which depends for its success on the ignorance or gullibility of the person or persons against whom it is directed.
motif
A recurrent, unifying element in a work, such as an image, symbol, character type, action, idea, object, or phrase.
plot
The arrangement and interrelation of events in a narrative work.
point of view
The vantage point from which a narrative is told.
point of view(1st person)
When the vantage point is from a character who refers to himself or herself as “I.”
Ex: I ran through the field of daisies.
point of view(2nd person)
When the vantage point is from the perspective of “you.”
Ex: You ran through the field of daisies.
point of view(3rd person objective)
When the narrator is an observer who relates the story using third-person pronouns such as “he,” “she,” and “it.” No character thoughts are explicitly expressed from this vantage point.
Ex: He ran through the field of daisies.
point of view(3rd person limited)
When the narrator is an observer who relates the story using third-person pronouns such as “he,” “she,” and “it.” Only a single character’s thoughts are explicitly expressed from this vantage point.
Ex: He ran through the field of daisies, his heart filled with joy.
point of view(3rd person omniscient)
When the narrator is an observer who relates the story using third-person pronouns such as “he,” “she,” and “it.” Many or all characters’ thoughts are explicitly expressed through this all-knowing vantage point.
Ex: He ran through the field of daisies, his heart filled with joy. The squirrels and chipmunks watching him also felt a similar exuberance.
resolution
The culmination of a plot.
rising action
The part of a work that follows the inciting moment(the event that gives rise to conflict) and precedes the climax or the crisis. During the rising action, the plot becomes more complicated and the conflict intensifies.
setting
The combination of place, historical time, and social milieu that provides the general background for the characters and plot of a work.
subplot
A second story that is complete in its own right within the greater context of a work’s primary plot.
theme
The statement(s), express or implied, that a work seems to be making about its subject. Generally, the main idea or message in a work.
