Survival Instincts/Non-Fiction Mid-Term

semester 1, 2025-campbell

First person perspective

is when “I” am telling the story. The POV character is in the story, relating his or her experiences directly. Uses the pronouns “I,” “we,” “me,” and “us.” Drawback: The story is narrated from a single character's perspective at a time. They cannot be everywhere at once and thus cannot get all sides of the story. Pro: It is easy for the audience to get to know that character and build empathy.

Second Person perspective

story is told to “you.” This POV is not common in fiction, but is often used in nonfiction, songs, and video games. The narrator relates the experiences using second person pronouns, like “you” and “your.” Thus, you become the protagonist, you carry the plot, and your fate determines the story. Breaking the fourth wall: This is a narrative device where in the middle of a 1st or 3rd

Third Person Perspective

• point of view stories, the author is outside the story and relating the experiences of the character by using pronouns such as “she/he” or “they.” There are two types: NOTE: The line between limited and omniscient is on a sliding scale.  Sometimes the author might have access to the thoughts and experiences of more than one character; however, it’s typical to not have access to both at the same time.  For example, an author might alternate perspectives each chapter. 

Protagonist

The main character in the story. They should be carefully crafted with a logical backstory, personal motivation, and a character arc over the course of the story. Often the story will be told from their point of view.

Antagonist

The villain of the story. Think Lex Luthor or Lord Voldemort. Note that an antagonist is not the same as an anti

Love interest

the protagonist’s object of desire. Good ones will be compelling.

Confidant

A character whose main purpose is to give the protagonist someone to open up to—to share inner thoughts, fears, doubts, or hopes that otherwise would stay hidden from the audience. This type of character is usually a best friend or sidekick of the protagonist. might also serve the role of a deuteragonist. A particularly famous confidant is Hermione in Harry Potter.

Deuteragonists

Plays the “second lead” role. They may support, contrast, or even challenge the protagonist. They usually have their own development arc, and their choices strongly affect the outcome of the story.

Tertiary

characters populate the world of the story but do not necessarily link to the main storyline. These minor characters serve any number of functions and may have varying degrees of personal dynamism. Think of Padma and Parvati Patil in the Harry Potter series. In Spider

Foil

character primarily exists to bring the protagonist’s qualities into sharper relief. Effectively the opposite of the protagonist.

Stock character

character is an archetypal character with a fixed set of personality traits. They fill particular roles within the story)

Symbolic character

character represents a concept or theme larger than themselves. They may have dynamic qualities, but they also exist to subtly steer an audience’s mind toward broader concepts. Most are supporting characters.

Dynamic character

character is one who changes over the course of the story. As such, a character makes the best protagonist.

Round character

Closely related to a dynamic character, a character is a major character who shows fluidity (might change multiple times) and the capacity for change from the moment we meet them. By contrast, some dynamic protagonists do not change until actions in the story force that change.

Static character

Character does not noticeably change over the course of a story. Sometimes known as a flat character, these characters often play tertiary roles in a narrative. Many villains are also this character.

Person Vs. Self

This happens when a character battles their own thoughts, feelings, or decisions. It often involves moral dilemmas or personal growth Example: Katniss choosing between Peeta and Gale in The Hunter Games

Person Vs. Nature

This involves a character struggling against natural forces or the environment (usually to survive). Examples: TV shows like Naked and Afraid or Survivor

Person Vs. Person

This occurs when a character struggles against another character. It can be physical, emotional, or intellectual. Examples: Harry Potter vs. Voldemort, Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader

Person vs. Society

These are stories where an individual or a group is fighting against injustices (laws, social norms, etc.) within their society. Example: In Zootopia, Judy Hopps challenges systemic prejudice and proves that “anyone can be anything.”

Person vs. the unknown

the stories (often science fiction or horror genres) involve a character struggling against an entity that isn’t entirely known or comprehensible (aliens, ghosts, demons, etc.) Examples: Independence Day, Stranger Things

Person vs. technology

These are stories involve characters fighting against emotionless AI, machines, or other scientific creations. Example: Avengers: Age of Ultron, iRobot, The Terminator

Person vs. Fate/God(s)

These stories involve a character feeling trapped by an inevitable destiny; freedom and free will often seem impossible in these stories. Examples: Hercules, They Both Die at the End, The Fault in Our Stars, Romeo & Juliet

3rd Person-Limited vs. Omniscient

• LIMITED: The narrator has only some, if any, access to the thoughts and experiences of the characters in the story, often just to one character. OMNISCIENT:  The all-knowing narrator has full access to all the thoughts and experiences of all the characters in the story. NOTE: The line between limited and omniscient is on a sliding scale.  Sometimes the author might have access to the thoughts and experiences of more than one character; however, it’s typical to not have access to both at the same time.  For example, an author might alternate perspectives each chapter. 

Circular

A narrative concludes where it started. Brings closure to the story by returning to the theme or material from the beginning. Constant repeat of key phrases in setting of importance.

Frame

Story consisting of multiple smaller stories, within the context of a larger story. All strong together, normally with flashbacks.

Linear (Basic)

When a story centers on a conflict or event, this structure is typically used. It is written in chronological order and relates the action as it is happening.

Parallel

Contains multiple storylines happening at the same thing. Bouncing around between different sets of characters. Normally, towards the conclusion, the storyline comes together and intersex and closely throughout the whole thing.

In Medias Res

Emphasizes the present, throw them into action. Create curiosity or suspense regarding characters past. Story really begins in the middle, and gradually sprinkles more of the exposition throughout the story.

Flashbacks

an important organizational structure, allowing authors to interrupt the present with the past. Combined with other organizational structures.

Exposition

intro to setting

Rising Action

the events of the story begins to unfold/develop.

Climax

The big endpoint, the emotional high point. The reason you’re telling a story.

Falling Action

Story begins to work towards a conclusion.

Resolution

Story pulls to a close, significance is often revealed.

Story Order

exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

Allusion, Illusion:

An Allusion is an indirect reference. An illusion is a misconception or false impression.

Are, our:

Are is a plural for the verb “is”. Our is a pronoun meaning “belonging to us”.

Capital, Capitol:

Capital refers to a city, capitol to a building where lawmakers meet. Capital also refers to wealth or resources.

Climactic, climatic:

Climactic is derived from climax. Climatic is derived from climate; it refers to meteorological conditions.

Elicit, Illicit:

Elicit is a verb meaning to bring out or to evoke. Illicit is an adjective meaning unlawful.

Emigrate from, Immigrate to:

Emigrate means to leave one country or region to settle in another. Immigrate means to enter another country and reside there.

Its, it’s:

Its means “belonging to it”. It’s is a contraction for “it is”.

Loose, lose:

Loose means the opposite of tight or confined. Lose means “to misplace.”

Principle, Principal:

Principal is a noun meaning the head of a school or an organization or a sum of money. Principle is a noun meaning a basic truth or law.

There, Their, They're:

There is an adverb specifying place; it is also an expletive. Their is a possessive pronoun. They're is a contraction of they are.

Were, we’re:

We’re is a contraction of the phrase “we are”. Were is simply a plural past- tense form of the verb “are.”

Who’s, whose:

Who’s is a contraction for “who is”. Whose is used to show possession, ownership.

Your, You're:

Your is a possessive pronoun; you're is a contraction of you are.

Lie, Lay:

Lie is an intransitive verb meaning to recline or rest on a surface. Its principal parts are lie, lay, lain. Lay is a transitive verb meaning to put or place.

Who, Whom:

Who is used as the subject of a verb; whom is used as the object of a preposition or as a direct object.

Who, Which, That:

Do not use which to refer to persons. Use who instead. That, though generally used to refer to things, may be used to refer to a group or class of people.

This Than, Then

Than is a conjunction used in comparisons; then is an adverb denoting time.

Affect, Effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence and effect is usually a noun meaning result.