Literary Terms and Story Elements

Vocabulary flashcards covering literary terms, figurative language, plot components, types of conflict, point of view, and character roles based on the lecture notes.

Simile

Compares two things using "like" or "as."

Metaphor

Compares two things, but does NOT use "like" or "as." Uses words such as "is" and "was".

Personification

Giving human qualities to nonhuman things.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement.

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the sound it makes.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of the word.

Character(s)

The actors/players of the story.

Character Traits

The description of a character's personality.

Plot

What the story is about.

Theme

The lesson, moral, or message of the story.

Conflict

A struggle between two opposing forces.

Setting

The time and place of where the story is happening.

Internal Conflict

A struggle that occurs within the main character.

External Conflict

A struggle that takes place between the character and an outside force.

Character vs. Character

A struggle between two or more different characters in a text.

Character vs. Nature

A character struggles due to their environment.

Character vs. Society

A character struggles with the society in which he or she lives.

Character vs. Self

A struggle that occurs within the mind of the character.

Plot Diagram

Used to map out the events in the story. Made up of 5 parts: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.

Exposition

The background information of a story.

Rising Action

A series of incidents that create suspense, tension and interest in the story.

Inciting Incident

Where the conflict occurs.

Climax

The point of highest tension and drama. Also known as the turning point.

Falling Action

Where the major problem of the story is solved.

Resolution

The outcome of the story. How things end up or turn out for the characters.

Point of View

The narrator's position in relation to a story being told.

1st Person Point of View

Told from the point of view of a character/narrator.

2nd Person Point of View

The narrator talks to the reader.

3rd Person Point of View

The narrator is not part of the story.

Narrator

The person telling the story.

Protagonist

The main character of the story. The hero.

Antagonist

The opponent or enemy of the main character. The villain.