Plot Elements
This is the main event or problem that drives the story forward.
What is the conflict?
The main character in a story.
What is a protagonist?
The time and place of the story
What is the setting?
This is the central idea or message in a story.
What is the theme?
A comparison using 'like' or 'as.'
What is a simile?
This term describes the series of events that build up to the climax.
What is rising action?
The character or force working against the main character.
What is an antagonist?
A story set in a futuristic or imagined world belongs to this genre.
A story about the danger of technology might explore this theme.
What is technology and humanity?
A word or phrase that appeals to the senses.
What is imagery?
This part of the story shows how the conflict is resolved.
What is the resolution?
A character that does not undergo significant change throughout the story.
What is a static character?
The mood or atmosphere created by the setting.
What is the tone?
The theme of 'man vs. nature' typically fits into this type of conflict.
What is external conflict?
When an object represents something bigger than itself.
What is symbolism?
The point of greatest tension or turning point in the story.
What is the climax?
A character that is well-developed and complex.
What is a round/dynamic character?
A detailed description of the physical setting is an example of this literary technique.
What is imagery?
A story where love overcomes obstacles could be said to explore this theme.
What is love conquers all?
When the opposite of what is expected happens.
What is irony?
The events at the very beginning of the story that introduce the setting, characters, and situation.
What is the exposition?
A character whose purpose is to highlight traits of another character, often the protagonist.
What is a foil?
When the setting becomes symbolic, representing something deeper.
What is symbolism?
A theme that warns the reader about the consequences of greed could be called this.
What is the corrupting power of greed?
Giving human traits to non-human things
What is personification?