Lit terms

Exposition

the beginning of the plot where the author introduces the reader to characters, setting, narrator, and point of view

Rising action

the second part of a plot diagram where events begin and build suspense and create conflict

Climax

the third part of a plot diagram and the turning point of the story

Falling action

the fourth part of a plot diagram with no new events or plot points; after the crisis and before the resolution

Resolution/denouement

the fith part of a plot diagram where conflict is resolved and the story concludes

Foreshadowing

a hint of things to come

internal conflict

a character struggles with his or her own opposing desire, beliefs or needs (man vs. self)

External conflict

a conflict struggles against an outside force (man vs. nature, society)

mood/atmosphere

the feeling the reader gets from a piece or literature

point of view

the perspective on which a story is told

First person

the narrator is a character who participates in the action of the story and uses I and ME to describe himself or herself

Third person limited

the narrator knows everything (all-knowing), including the thoughts and feelings of ALL characters

Third person omnicscient

the narrator sees things through ONE character’s eyes and reveals that character’s feelings and thoughts

Symbolism

a symbol in an object, person, place, etc. that means more than what it actually is

Setting

time and place in which a story occurs