Story Basics
The sequence of events in a story
Plot
The main character in a story - usually a good guy
Protagonist
A clue that hints at something that will happen later
Foreshadow
The most exciting part of the story where the problem comes to a head
Climax
A struggle between a character and another person.
Person vs Person
The time and place of a story
Setting
The character who opposes the main character
Antagonist
When a story stops to revisit an earlier time
Flasback
The end of the story where loose ends are tied up
Resolution
A struggle between a character and themselves
Character vs Self
The style or category a story fits into, such as mystery or fantasy
Genre
A person, animal, or figure represented in a story
Character
A situation where the opposite of what you expect happens.
Irony
The underlying message or lesson of the story
Theme
A struggle between a character and nature
Person vs Nature
A made-up story
Fiction
The emotional quality that an author creates in a story (how the reader feels)
Mood
The tension or excitement that makes you want to keep reading
Suspense
The events that move the story toward its climax.
Rising Action
A struggle between a character and society
Person vs Society
A story based on facts
Non Fiction
The author’s attitude toward the subject of the story
Tone
A dramatic ending that leaves you hanging
Cliffhanger
The beginning of a story where characters and setting are introduced.
A struggle between a character and fate, technology, or the supernatural
Person vs Technology