L.A. Narrative Terms (grade 9)

Fiction

This type of writing is imaginative and the stories are not real in content

Non-Fiction

Writing that is true, factual, and taken from real events

Plot

The ordered arrangement of a sequence of events in a story. It typically makes up the action of the story, (the events in the story)

Initial Incident/Motivation

This event is the onset of the conflict

Rising Action

Events and situations leading up to the climax of a story

Conflict

Any dispute between characters in a story. Character v.s self, character, environment, society, and supernatural

Characterization

We learn about a character by what they a) say, b) do, c) think

(indirect characterization)

Direct Characterization

Learn about a character through direct statement/physical describing

Protagonist

The main, most important character in a story. The one who experiences the conflict.

Antagonist

Any forces against the main character

Complication

Any obstacles or roadblocks making it difficult for the main character to achieve their goals

Suspense

Quality in a short story that makes the reader want to read on to find out what happens next

Climax

It is the turning point of a story where the conflict is solved. The story usually comes to a quick ending after

Falling action

Any events or situations taking place from the climax to the ending of the story

Happy Ending

The protagonist achieves their goals

Unhappy Ending

Causes you to reflect and think about what happened. The protagonist does not achieve their goals

Suprise Ending

A twist; The unexpected happens

Indeterminate Ending

A cliffhanger ending where the ending is not totally determined

Dialogue

Conversation between characters. It must be natural, convincing, and advancing the action

Character

Someone or something carrying out the action of the story. They must be motivated, life like, and consistent

Flat Character

This is a one dimensional character with not a lot of complex characteristics

Round Character

Complex, many sided character

Stereotypical Character

Nature is immediately known. Labelled by society to act a certain way

Developing/Dynamic Character

This type of character changes throughout a story

Static Character

This type of character does not change throughout a story

Setting

The time and place of a story. It could include geographical location, time or weather

Mood

The feeling of the story created bythe author

Theme

The central purpose of the story. It is what the author is trying to get through to the reader. It is their statement on life

Foreshadowing

Giving subtle hints as to what might happen later in the future

Flashback

The author goes back into the lives of the characters for dramatic purpose

Denouement

Tying up loose ends at the end of a story

First Person POV

The narrator is a participant in their own story, using the pronoun “I”

Third Person Omniscient POV

The narrator is all-knowing, and knows all the thoughts and feeling of the characters at all times

Third Person Limited Omniscient POV

The narrator is still third person (Not using I) but the info the narrator has is limited

Second Person POV

Using the pronoun “you”, when the narrator is speaking.

Antecedent Action

Background Imformation before the action of the story starts

Symbolism

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