Elements of Plot
the introduction of a story or book, when the characters and setting are first described
Exposition
a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things using the words “like” or “as.”
Simile
the writer's attitude toward the subject matter or audience of a literary work
Tone
the principal opponent or foil of the main character, who is referred to as the protagonist, in a drama or narrative
Antagonist
the point in the narrative where the tension, excitement, or stakes reach the highest level. It is often the conclusion of a story's main conflict and sets up for either a successful resolution or an unsatisfying ending
Climax
a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated
Metaphor
the emotional response that the writer wishes to evoke in the reader through a story
Mood
the character who drives the action--the character whose fate matters most
Protagonist
the action that occurs immediately after the big climax has taken place and the action shifts towards resolution instead of escalation
Falling Action
something that stands for or suggests something else
Symbolism
expressed directly and indirectly through physical descriptions, dialogue, characters' inner thoughts, and actions
Characterization
one who tells a story
Narrator
an event that occurs, in relation to your protagonist, near to the beginning of your story, which sets that story moving in a different direction
Inciting Incident
an audience's awareness of the situation in which a work's characters exist differs substantially from that of the characters'
Dramatic Irony
a literary device used in poetry, novels, and other writing that uses vivid description that appeals to a readers' senses to create an image or idea in their head
Imagery
the time, place, and environment in which a story occurs
Setting
a related series of incidents in a literary plot that build toward the point of greatest interest
Rising Action
when incongruity appears between expectations of something to happen, and what actually happens instead
Situational Irony
a struggle between two opposing forces
Conflict
language that's carefully constructed to persuade, motivate, or inform the reader or listener about the speaker or writer's position
Rhetoric