Literary Craft Definitions 3
The person, group, or force that opposes, contends with, or creates obstacles for the protagonist in a story.
Antagonist
The final paragraph in the expository essay, which summarizes the points from the body paragraphs and ties them together. Here, the writer restates the thesis and reminds the reader of the points made in the body paragraphs.
Conclusion
What is the name of Mr. Chavez’s favorite baseball team?
The Dodgers
Which natural disaster is measured using the Richter scale?
Earthquake
What is the name of Hiccup’s Night Fury dragon in How to Train Your Dragon?
Toothless
“God” narrator. In other words, the narrator knows everything about the story and its characters. The narrator can enter anyone’s mind, move freely through time, and give the reader their own opinions and observations about the story.
third person omniscient
This sentence tells the reader the main idea of a body paragraph. Each topic sentence in a body paragraph works to introduce one of your points to your reader.
Topic sentence
What color is Mr. Chavez’s car?
Blue
Who is credited with inventing the telephone?
Alexander Graham Bell
Which animated film won the 2026 Oscar for Best Animated Feature?
K-Pop Demon Hunters
A type of point of view that uses “we” and “us” to tell a story from a collective point of view. This collective can be be a group of a few individuals or an entire community.
First Person Plural point of view
The sentence/s in the introduction of the essay which makes a claim and provides a roadmap of the rest of the paper. It articulates the essay's central argument.
Thesis statement
What sport did Mr. Chavez play in high school?
Cross Country/Track and Field
What process do plants use to turn sunlight into energy?
Photosynthesis
Which musical film stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Galinda and Elphaba?
Wicked
Is best used to slow action down and show the significance of a moment in a story.
Is used to move a story forward. It makes the reader want to know what’s going to happen next because what is being described is active—it is occurring on a second by second basis.
Scene
The paragraphs in your essay where you describe details, share evidence, explain your reasoning, and otherwise advance your thesis. Each paragraph should be a separate and independent topic that supports your thesis.
Body paragraphs
What year was Mr. Chavez born in?
1994
What is the longest river in the world?
The Nile River
Who played Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)?
Harrison Ford
A type of story structure which is organized via the passage of time and the escalation of conflict. An inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution function as the main beats of this kind of narrative.
Linear narrative/3-act story
The sentences in a body paragraph which offer your analysis, interpretation, explanation, or insight into a piece of evidence or concrete detail.
Commentary
What is the name of Mr. Chavez’s favorite video game?
The Last of Us: Part II
How many bones are in the human body?
206
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat” is an iconic quote from which 1975 movie?
Jaws