Exposition
The book’s introduction in which characters, setting, and primary conflict are introduced
Rising Action
The first incidents which spark the conflict in the story as it rises towards the climax
Climax
The turning point where the conflicts are at the peak
Falling Action
The part where conflicts begin to resolve based on the lessons learned in the climax
Resolution/Denouement
The part of the story where the conflicts resolve, and the effect of the main conflict is seen
Simile
A phrase that compares two or more similar things in order to describe something (often use words such as like or as)
Metaphors
A phrase that LITERALLY compares two things by using words such as IS
Symbolism
The use of physical things to represent larger ideas such as peace
Personification
The use of human characteristics with non-human nouns
Caesura
A pause that occurs in a line of poetry
Enjambment
The continuation of a sentence or phrase from a line of poetry to the next
Meter
The rhythm of a line or stanza in poetry
Rhythm
The repeated pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in the flow of a piece of literature
Chorus
A part of literature in which that is repeated following each verse
Acts and Scenes
Acts are the divisions used in plays while scenes are their subdivisions
Stage Directions
Instructions written into a play that detail the movement of things and people
Aside
A short address in which a character directly addresses the audience
Soliloquy
A speech in which a character separately expresses him or herself to the audience
Monologue
An extended speech by one person in a piece of literature
Fate
A conflict or struggle between a character and his or her destiny
Determinism
A theme in literature in which a character(s) does not have free will over his or her destiny
Prophecy
A prediction that causes itself to come true
Protagonist
The leading character in a piece of literature
Antagonist
The leading opposition to a story’s protagonist
Drama
A form of literature meant to be performed as a play
Tragedy
A form of drama in which a character struggles against evil forces and conflicts
Comedy
A form of drama that is very lighthearted and cheerful
Setting
The time, place, and environment that something takes place
Conflict
Struggles between opposing forces in literature that guide the plot
Hubris
Pride
Peripety/Peripeteia
A plot twist that occurs during or after the climax
Hamartia
The fatal flaw of a main character
Catharsis
The process by which a character cleanses or purifies their emotions or feelings
Vehicle
Word used to describe the tenor
Tenor
Thing being described