9th Grade Literary Terms

Protagonist

The main character in a story — the one the plot centers around. This character faces the main conflict.

Antagonist

The character or force that opposes the protagonist and creates conflict. The antagonist doesn’t have to be a person — it could be nature, society, or even the protagonist’s own inner struggles.

Setting

The time and place where a story occurs.

Plot

The sequence of events in a story.

Exposition

The part of a story that introduces the characters,setting, and basic situation; it sets the stage for the story.

Rising Action

The series of events in a story that create

suspense, interest, and tension, leading up to the climax.

Climax

The turning point or most intense moment of the story,where the main conflict reaches its peak.

Falling Action

The events that happen after the climax as the story begins to resolve conflicts and lead toward the ending.

Resolution

The conclusion of the story, where conflicts are resolved and the story comes to a satisfying end.

Conflict

A struggle between opposing forces.

Character vs. Character

A type of conflict where 2 or more characters oppose each other with different goals or desires

Character vs. Nature

A type of conflict where a character faces challenges posed by natural forces such as storms, animals or disease.

Character vs. Self

A type of conflict where a character struggles with their own beliefs, emotions or decisions

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality

Situational Irony

A type of irony in which an outcome is significantly different from what was expected

Dramatic Irony

A type of irony where the audience knows something that the characters do not

Verbal irony

When what is said is not what is meant (similar to sarcasm)

Characterization

The process by which an author reveals a character’s personality, traits, and motivations, either directly (through description) or indirectly (through actions, thoughts, dialogue, and interactions)

Static character

A character that remains unchanged throughout the story and does not undergo significant development

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes significant internal change or growth throughout the story, often learning a lesson or changing perspective learning a lesson or changing perspect

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Symbolism

An object, person, or place that represents something beyond itself.

Theme

The central message or idea of a story.

Point of View

The perspective from which the story is told.

1st person point of view

When the narrator is telling about him/herself directly, using pronouns like I, me, mine, we, us.

3rd person limited point of view

a narrative perspective where the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character

3rd person omniscient point of view

a narrative perspective where the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all/many of the characters

Foreshadow

to provide hints or clues about what will happen later in the story

Flashback

an interruption in the chronological sequence of a story to depict an event that happened earlier

Suspense

the tension that makes readers eager to know what will happen next

Allusion

a reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance

Mood

the emotional atmosphere or feeling that a work evokes in the reader created through elements like descriptive language, setting, tone and imagery

Tone

the attitude the author takes toward the subject or topic