Narrative Structure
This is the exciting, immediate turning point or peak moment of tension in the story, usually near the end.
What is the Climax?
The boy wore his headphones, kept his eyes glued to his textbook, and refused to look up when his friends entered the room. You can infer he wanted this.
What is to be left alone (or to study in silence)?
After trying to imitate the popular kids' style, a character only finds happiness when she embraces her own unique interests and clothes. The theme is this.
What is self-acceptance (or individuality)?
If a story uses the pronouns "I" and "me," the reader knows the narrator is one of the characters telling their own tale in this POV.
What is First Person?
When an author directly tells the reader, "She was shy and spoke softly," they are using this type of characterization.
What is Direct Characterization?
This is the section of the plot where the conflict is introduced, characters and setting are established, and the reader gets the initial necessary background.
What is the Exposition?
If a character frequently uses sarcasm, avoids eye contact, and often cancels plans, you can infer their true feeling is often this.
What is insecurity (or unhappiness/shyness)?
Two former friends who had a falling out must work together to win a regional competition. Despite their personal feelings, they learn to rely on one another to achieve success. The theme is this.
What is the power of teamwork (or cooperation)?
This POV uses pronouns like "he," "she," and "they," but only reveals the thoughts and feelings of one character.
What is Third Person Limited?
The S in the S.T.E.A.L. acronym for indirect characterization stands for this.
What is Speech (or Said)?
Following the climax, this section sees the events and consequences wrapping up before the very end of the story.
What is the Falling Action?
A scientist notes that the ground is completely dry, but the river level has risen significantly and is running muddy. This event must have happened upstream.
What is a heavy rain/storm (or flooding)?
A knight spends years traveling the world searching for a magic amulet that will grant him riches, only to return home and realize the treasure was the love of his family all along. The theme is this.
What is true happiness is not found in material wealth (or value family over riches)?
A story told by a god-like narrator who knows everything about all the characters, including their secret thoughts, uses this comprehensive POV.
What is Third Person Omniscient?
This term describes a character who is complex and undergoes a significant inner change, development, or realization throughout the story.
What is Dynamic?
The initial conflict is often introduced during this part of the structure, where the tension begins to increase as the main character faces obstacles.
What is the Rising Action?
A book set in a small mining town describes the characters wearing heavy woolen coats, smelling of coal smoke, and preparing for a long "dark season." You can infer the story's setting is this.
What is a cold, northern climate (or winter)?
A character is repeatedly warned not to enter a dangerous, abandoned part of the city, but their curiosity is too strong, leading them into a trap. The theme is this.
What is the danger of unchecked curiosity (or heeding wise warnings)?
A choose-your-own-adventure book often uses this rare POV, directly addressing the reader with the pronoun "you."
What is Second Person?
A character whose personality and motives are simple, often described with only one or two traits, is known by this term.
What is Flat?
The sequence of events where the conflict is completely resolved and all loose ends are tied.
What is the resolution?
Based on the fact that he was fired from his job, his house was foreclosed on, and his car was repossessed, you can infer this state about his financial situation.
What is bankrupt (or in debt/poor)?
A young girl must leave her familiar village and cross a vast desert to find a new home. Though she struggles and is afraid, the journey forces her to become independent and resourceful. The theme is this.
What is adversity fosters growth (or challenges build character)?
When a character who is unreliable, perhaps because they are a child or are mentally ill, tells the story, they create this narrative problem.
What is an Unreliable Narrator?
This type of characterization requires the reader to infer a character's traits based on their actions, dialogue, or effect on other people.
What is Indirect Characterization?