Character Types
A character who is two-dimensional; they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work; simple characters with little or no depth.
What is Flat?
Someone is telling you his or her story; the narrator is a character in the story. This uses first-person pronouns such as “I”, “we”, or “me.”
What is 1st Person?
The point of highest intensity or action in the story. The peak of the action or conflict.
What is the Climax?
In Wall-E, Wall-E, EVE and Captain McCrea must work together to save humanity when the ship they are on becomes controlled by its autopilot function, AUTO. AUTO tries to prevent the others from placing the plant into the Holo-Detector, so Wall-E and his team must compete against AUTO to accomplish the mission.
What is Man vs. Technology?
The leading character or one of the major characters in a story. The main figure or one of the most prominent figures in a real situation.
What is Protagonist?
A character who is complex and undergoes development, sometimes sufficiently to surprise the reader.
What is Round?
The narrator tells the story to another character using the word 'you.' The author could be talking to the audience, which we could tell by the use of 'you,' 'you're,' and 'your'.
What is 2nd Person?
The part of a story when a conflict is introduced and starts to build.
What is the Rising Action?
In Alaska, Jake Barnes and his two kids, Sean and Jessie, have moved to Alaska after his wife died. He is a former airline pilot now delivering toilet paper across the mountains. During an emergency delivery in a storm his plane goes down somewhere in the mountains. Annoyed that the authorities aren't doing enough, Jessie and Sean set out on an adventure through the Alaskan wilderness to find their father.
What is Man vs. Nature?
A person's assistant or close associate, especially one who has less authority than that person.
What is Sidekick?
A character who doesn't undergo any significant change in personality or perspective over the course of a story; no change.
What is Static?
The narrator is not a character in the story; the story is told by an outsider looking in who knows only the thoughts and feelings of one character. This uses “he,” “she,” and “they.”
What is 3rd Person Limited?
The part of the plot when conflicts start to resolve.
What is the Falling Action?
In Spider-Man, Homecoming, Peter Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine -- distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.
What is Man vs. Man?
A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.
What is Antagonist?
A character who undergoes a major transition or change in personality or perspective.
What is Dynamic?
The narrator is not a character in the story; the story is told by an outsider looking in who knows the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in the story. This uses “he,” “she,” and “they.”
What is 3rd Person Omniscient?
The part of the story when conflicts and problems are settled, solved, or accepted and the story ends.
What is the Resolution?
In Tangled, Rapunzel has a dream to leave her tower and go to see the lights that appear each year on her birthday. She struggles to leave her castle, knowing that her “mother” would be upset or worried if she found out Rapunzel left. Rapunzel feels guilty throughout her journey but is excited for the adventure she is on.
What is Man vs. Self?
A wise and trusted counselor, adviser, or teacher.
What is Mentor?
A character that has characteristics that oppose another character, usually the protagonist, and is used to highlight some particular quality or qualities of the main character (usually through opposition).
What is Foil?
The time and geographic location within a story, either nonfiction or fiction. It helps initiate the main backdrop and mood for a story. It may include culture, historical period, geography, and hour.
What is Setting?
The introduction (beginning) of the story where the characters and setting are established.
What is the Exposition?
In Brave, Merida, the daughter of Scottish King and Queen, is a skilled archer who wants to carve out her own path in life. Her defiance of an age-old tradition angers the Highland lords and leads to chaos in the kingdom. Merida seeks help from an eccentric witch, who grants her an ill-fated wish. Now, Merida must discover the true meaning of courage and undo a beastly curse before it's too late.
What is Man vs. Fate/Supernatural?
A person who gives spoken or written account of a story, especially a character who recounts the events. A person who delivers a commentary accompanying a movie.
What is Narrator?