Literary Elements
Creative Writing
Contemporary Novels
Plot Elements
ELA Terminology
100

Two things being compared that are not alike.

What is a metaphor?

100

Where a story takes place.

What is the setting?

100

Katniss Everdeen volunteers to participate in a deadly televised competition, the Hunger Games, where she must fight for survival against other tributes while challenging the oppressive government.

What is The Hunger Games?

100

The problem or issue that drives the plot forward. 

What is conflict?

100

The main character in a story that is typically 'good' — the one the reader is rooting for.

What is a protagonist? 

200

Giving human or living qualities to something non-human.

What is personifaction?

200

When an author shows you about a character through what they say, how they act, and/or interact with other characters

What is characterization? 

200

A group of boys with no memory of their past must work together to escape a maze while uncovering the dark secrets behind their captivity.

What is The Maze Runner?

200

The moments in a story that lead up to the climax.

What is rising action?

200

A literary device where the narrative temporarily shifts to a past event to provide context, background, or insight

What is a flashback?

300

The repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of several words close together in a line or sentence.

What is alliteration?

300

The main events in sequence of a novel, story, movie, play, or similar work.

What is a plot?

300

After the suicide of high school student Hannah Baker, her classmate Clay Jensen receives a series of tapes in which she reveals the thirteen reasons and individuals she holds responsible for her tragic decision.

What is 13 Reasons Why?

300

The events that happen after the climax of a story. Everything in the story begins to be wrapped up.

What is falling action?

300

A literary technique in which subtle hints or clues are given about events that will happen later in the story; builds anticipation.

What is foreshadowing?

400

The use of an object, action, or name to represent an idea or quality.

What is symbolism?

400

The genre of any creative work, portraying individuals, events, or places that are imaginary, or in ways that are imaginary.

What is fiction?

400

An orphaned boy discovers he is a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he uncovers the truth about his parents' deaths and faces a dark wizard.

What is Harry Potter?

400

The end of the story where most, if not all, questions are answered. 

What is resolution?

400

A main character must overcome something within themselves to achieve their goal.

What is character vs. self?

500

The underlying moral, lesson, or message of a story that can be applied to the world.

What is theme?

500

A super short story  – ranging from 100-900 words – usually implying a theme.

What is flash fiction?

500

A teenage girl falls in love with a mysterious vampire, sparking a forbidden romance that draws her into a dangerous world of supernatural conflict.

What is Twilight?

500

 Towards the beginning of the story, it gives the reader background (like setting and introduces characters). 

What is the exposition?

500

Descriptive elements that use vivid language to create a strong mental image by appealing to how something looks, sounds, feels, tastes, or smells.

What are sensory details?

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