Parts of Words
auto-
self
This type of conflict describes a problem that a character has inside of themselves. For example: making a big decision or dealing with difficult emotions.
What is internal conflict?
The best meaning of the bolded word, based on the context:
Trees follow a cyclical pattern throughout the seasons: they drop their leaves in the fall, are dormant in the winter, begin to bud in the spring, and soak up the summer sun with a full set of leaves just to drop them all over again as the weather cools.
What is something that happens over and over again?
This is the turning point. The highest point of tension. The protagonist must make a decision from which there is no coming back. The peak of the problem.
What is the climax?
This type of characterization is when the author "tells" instead of "shows." The author describes a character outright, and the reader does not need to infer information about them.
What is direct characterization?
mid-
middle
This type of conflict occurs when a character has a problem outside of themselves. There are 5 categories of this conflict.
What is external conflict?
The best meaning of the bolded word:
The travelers were terrified once they realized how perilous the journey had become with a huge storm looming over the horizon and no safety equipment.
What is dangerous?
The (sometimes) "happy ending" of a story. Where conflict is fully resolved, characters have changed, and everyone can (maybe) live happily ever after.
What is the resolution?
This type of characterization is where the author "shows" instead of "tells" the reader about the character. The reader has to interpret the character's traits based on the information that is there.
What is indirect characterization?
pro-
forward
These are the five categories of external conflict.
What are individual vs. individual, individual vs. nature, individual vs. supernatural, individual vs. technology, and individual vs. society?
The best meaning of the bolded word:
Though Tiana wanted to be productive, she just couldn't seem to focus on her work.
This is where we learn about the characters, setting, and world of a story.
What is the exposition?
This is an acronym we can use to help us know the traits that characterize different characters.
What is ASTAR?
-cycl-
wheel
The conflict that best describes this scenario:
While going hiking with her parents, Sally gets lost in the woods. She is lost for several hours and has to figure out how to navigate through the forest as the sun begins to go down, and creatures begin to crawl out of the woodworks. Though she is scared and aware of all the danger around her, Sally manages to stay safe in the woods at night and find her parents once again.
What is individual vs. nature?
The best meaning of the bolded word:
Abraham Lincoln was an autodidact; though he grew up without access to an education, he taught himself many skills by reading books and writing.
What is someone who is able to teach themself?
This is where conflict begins to increase and the protagonist will face obstacles that prevent them from resolving the conflict.
What is the rising action?
This is what ASTAR stands for.
What is Appearance, Speech, Thoughts, Actions, and Relationships?
deca-
ten
Tiara has gotten into an argument with her friend and decided to stop speaking to her until she apologizes. Even though Tiara knows that she is in the right, she still feels guilty about the way the argument went down. She misses her friend terribly and begins to believe that maybe her decision was not the right one.
What is individual vs. self?
OR
What is internal conflict?
The best meaning of the bolded word:
The travelers were terrified once they realized how perilous the journey had become with a huge storm looming over the horizon and no safety equipment.
What is threatening?
What is the falling action?
Johnny always wore his football gear to school, and was followed by a flock of cheerleaders who fawned over how big his muscles were and his plays in the most recent game. He had tons of friends, but he didn't always do well in class.
Direct: Johnny wears football gear. Johnny is popular. Johnny doesn't do well in school. Johnny is muscular.
Indirect: Johnny plays football. Johnny is a jock. Johnny can get girls. Johnny cares about his sports more than his academics.