The main character in a story, often the hero or central figure
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Antagonist
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The character or force in conflict with the protagonist
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Bildungsroman
A coming-of-age novel that focuses on the protagonist's growth
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Direct Characterization
The author explicitly describes a character's traits and qualities
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Indirect Characterization
Character traits are revealed through actions, thoughts, or dialogue
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Foil
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A character whose qualities contrast with those of another character, is included to reveal the unique qualities of another (especially the main) character
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Round Character
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A character with depth and complexity, with multiple traits. Often act from varied, conflicting motives
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Flat Character
A character with limited development and simplistic traits, speaks in predictable ways
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Dynamic Character
A character who undergoes significant change throughout the story
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Static Character
A character who remains unchanged throughout the story
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Archetype
A typical character, symbol, or theme that recurs in literature and myths
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Stock Character
A character embodying stereotypes and is often used in a fixed role, seems familiar
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Setting
The time and place in which a story takes place
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Plot
The sequence of events in a story, including exposition and climax
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Exposition
The introduction of background information in a story
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Inciting Incident
The event that sets the main plot in motion
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Rising Action
Events leading to the story's climax, building tension
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Climax
The story's highest point of conflict and emotional intensity
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Falling Action
Events that follow the climax, leading towards resolution
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Resolution
The final outcome or solution to the story's conflict
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Denouement
The tying up of loose ends and the conclusion of the story
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In Media Res
Starting a narrative in the middle of action, rather than the beginning
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Flashbacks
Scenes or events from the past are inserted into the current narrative
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Foreshadowing
Hints or clues that suggest future events in the story
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Deus Ex Machina
A person or a thing that appears or is introduced suddenly and unexpectedly and provides a contrived solution to an apparently insoluble difficulty
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Epiphany
A sudden realization or profound understanding by a character
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Point of View
The narrator's perspective in telling the story
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Perspective
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Describes how narrators or characters see and experience their individual circumstances
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First-Person
Point of View Narrated by a character within the story using "I" or "we”
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Second-Person Point of View
The narrator addresses the reader as "you”
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\ Third-Person Limited Point of View
An external narrator who knows the thoughts of only one character
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Third-Person Omniscient Point of View
An external narrator who knows the thoughts of all characters
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Stream of Consciousness
A narrative style representing a character's inner thoughts. Thought process.
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Auditor
An imaginary listener or reader in a narrative that is brought in by the narrator
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Interior Monologue
A character's extended inner thoughts and reflections, in an arrangement as if the character were speaking out loud to himself, for us to overhear
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Theme
The central idea or message conveyed in a story
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Diction
The author's choice of words, which can be abstract or concrete
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Abstract Diction
Words that describe concepts or ideas rather than physical objects
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Concrete Diction
Words that describe tangible objects and qualities
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Connotation
The emotional or cultural associations of a word, meaning outside of the dictionary meaning
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Denotation
The literal dictionary definition of a word
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Slang
Informal language or words used in specific social groups, mostly verbal
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Colloquial
Informal, conversational language used in everyday speech
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Syntax
The arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence
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Cumulative Sentence
A sentence that starts with the main idea and adds details
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Periodic Sentence
A sentence with details before the main idea is revealed
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Tone
The author's attitude or emotional stance towards the subject
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Mood
What the readers feel as they're reading the story as a result of the tone and other details of the text
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Symbol
An object or element representing a deeper meaning in a story
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Allegory
Series of symbols that encompasses a whole work that represents something else with a deeper meaning
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Allusion
A reference to a well-known person, event, or work of literature
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Metaphor
A comparison between two unrelated things without "like" or "as”
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Simile
A comparison using "like" or "as" between two unlike things
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Personification
Giving human qualities to non-human entities or objects
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Metonymy
Using one word or concept to represent another related word
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Synecdoche
Using a part of something to represent the whole or vice versa
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Juxtaposition
Placing two ideas or objects side by side to reveal their similar or contrasting qualities
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Trope
Another word for figurative language. A figurative use of a word or expression
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Overstatement/Hyperbole
Exaggeration used for emphasis or effect
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Oxymoron
A combination of contradictory or opposite words
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Paradox
A statement that appears contradictory but may have a deeper truth
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Understatement
Deliberately downplaying or minimizing the significance of something
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Situation Irony
When there's a contrast between what's expected and what happens
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Dramatic Irony
When the audience knows something the characters do not
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Verbal Irony
When someone says something but means the opposite