Figurative Language
'The wind whistled through the trees, whispering secrets to the leaves.'
Personification
'Woody and Buzz Lightyear are both leaders among Andy's toys. However, Woody is a traditional cowboy doll who relies on his cleverness, while Buzz is a high-tech space ranger with wings and a laser.'
Compare and Contrast
In the movie Finding Nemo, the story begins by introducing Marlin and Nemo, explaining that they live in the Great Barrier Reef, and showing Nemo’s first day of school. This part of the plot is known as the —
Exposition
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "The Sandlot" belong to this genre, which tells stories that could happen in the real world with no magic or talking animals.
Realistic Fiction
In The Lion King, Simba faces this specific external conflict while trading blows with his uncle Scar for the throne.
Character vs. Character
"Mickey Mouse makes magnificent, magical memories."
Alliteration
"To get to 42 Wallaby Way, you must first survive a field of jellyfish. Then, they have to hitch a ride with a group of sea turtles on the East Australian Current. After they exit the current, they are swallowed by a whale, and finally, they arrive at the harbor to save Nemo."
Chronological/Sequential
In Toy Story, the tension grows as Woody and Buzz get trapped in Sid’s house, escape a mean dog, and try to catch up to the moving van. These events that build suspense are called the —
"Harry Potter" is part of this genre, featuring magic, dragons, and worlds that do not follow the laws of our own reality.
Fantasy
Elsa’s entire "Let It Go" sequence in Frozen represents this struggle, where a character battles their own fears or insecurities.
Character vs. Self
"Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get."
Simile
"Because Elsa was unable to control her powerful ice magic during the coronation, she accidentally set off an eternal winter across the kingdom of Arendelle. As a result, the villagers fled for safety, and Anna was forced to venture into the mountains to find her sister and bring back the summer."
Cause and Effect
At end of Ratatouille, we see Remy successfully running his own small bistro where he can cook freely for his friends.
Resolution
"Hidden Figures" or the movie "Newsies" belong to this genre, which features made-up characters living through real events from the past.
Historical Fiction
In Moana, the protagonist must cross the reef and survive a literal "Lava Monster," representing this conflict against the elements.
Character vs. Nature
"Barking up the wrong tree"
Idiom
'Riley was feeling very sad because she missed her old home in Minnesota. To help her feel better, Joy tried to make her laugh by showing her a funny memory involving an imaginary friend named Bing Bong.'
Problem and Solution
After the main conflict is over in Monsters, Inc., we see Mike and Sulley saying goodbye to Boo and the factory changing from a "scare" floor to a "laugh" floor.
Falling Action
"The movie A Bug’s Life is a retelling of 'The Ant and the Grasshopper.' Because it features talking animals as characters and ends with a clear moral or lesson about the value of hard work, it fits into this specific genre."
Fable
In the Pixar film "The Incredibles," Syndrome’s primary weapon is the Omnidroid, a self-learning battle robot that eventually overrides its creator's commands, forcing the Parr family into a desperate struggle against an autonomous artificial intelligence.
Character vs. Technology
When Timon says "I'm so hungry I could eat a whole zebra," he is using this extreme exaggeration.
Hyperbole
'In the movie Cars, Lightning McQueen is a fast, red race car with the number 95 painted on his doors. He has shiny chrome rims, a large rear spoiler, and a confident smirk on his face.'
Description
"Woody and Buzz are soaring through the air using a rocket strapped to Buzz's back. They are closing in on Andy's moving van, and it is the last possible second for them to land safely inside before they are lost forever. This pulse-pounding moment is known as the story's
Climax
The Life of Walt Disney written by a historian in 2024, you are reading this type of nonfiction, which tells the story of a person's life written by someone else."
Biography
In the movie "Zootopia," Officer Judy Hopps faces this specific conflict as she battles deep-seated systemic prejudices and "predator vs. prey" stereotypes held by the city's population to prove she belongs on the police force.
Character vs. Society