Elements of Fiction Vocab

Plot

The particular arrangement of actions, events, and situations that unfold in a narrative.

Exposition

The opening portion of a narrative. Here, the scene is set, the protagonist is introduced, and the author discloses any background information necessary to understand the story.

Conflict

The central struggle between two or more forces in a story.

External Conflict

Conflict that occurs between a character and outside forces.

Internal Conflict

Mental or emotional conflict that occurs within a character.

Complications

An intensification of the conflict in a narrative.

Rising Action

The part of the narrative in which events complicate the situation that existed in the exposition.

Climax

The moment of greatest intensity in a story.

Falling Action

The events that follow the climax and build to the resolution.

Resolution/Dénouement

The final stage of a plot, where complications are sorted out after the climax.

Subplot

A subordinate plot that coexists with the main plot.

Anticlimax

An unsatisfying or trivial turn of events in a plot that occurs in place of a genuine climax and resolution.

Structure

A story’s ___ can be examined in relation to it’s plot. When examining this, look for patterns, for the shape that the story as a whole possesses. 

Characterization

The techniques a writer uses to create, reveal, or develop the characters in a narrative.

Protagonist

Central character in a literary work.

Antagonist

Most significant character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Hero/Heroine

Central character in a literary work, implies a positive assessment of the character and his or her goals.

Antihero

Protagonist lacking one or more of the conventional qualities attributed to a hero.

Stock Character

A common or stereotypical character that occurs frequently in literature.

Archetypal Character

A recurring character found in literature across cultures and eras.

Foil

A character who serves as a contrast to another character, in order to point out traits in the primary character. 

Setting

Time and place of a literary work. Also includes larger “climate” of a place.

Theme

One or more ideas central to a literary work. 

Narrator

Voice and implied speaker of fictional work, distinguished from actual author.

First Person POV

Story told from within the story by a participant or observer. 

Third Person Objective POV

Narrator reports dialogue and action without access to the characters minds.

Third Person Limited Omniscient POV

The narrator’s knowledge is limited to one character.

Third Person Omniscient POV

The narrator is all knowing, in everyone’s heads.

Style

All the distinctive ways in which an author, genre, movement, or historical period uses language to create literature.

Tone

The attitude toward a subject conveyed in a literary work.

Voice

A writer’s distinctive style or manner of expression. 

Diction

Refers to a writer’s word choice. Involves the kinds of words a writer deems appropriate for a particular work.

Syntax

The grammatical order of words in a sentence.