Plot Elements
a main subject of the story--can be one word
What is topic?
the protagonist
Who is the main character of a story?
a person trying to survive after being stranded in the desert
What is person vs nature conflict?
when the author provides the reader with hints about events that will happen later in the story
What is foreshadowing?
Mr. Smith is a large man.
What is direct characterization?
the event that starts the story
What is the inciting incident?
the antagonist
Who is the character that is against the protagonist?
the antagonist hates the main character and constantly tries to sabotage the protagonist
What is person vs. person conflict?
His heart is as hard as stone.
What is a simile?
Mr. Smith sat down uncomfortably in the seemingly tiny chair. His body spilled over the chair's edges.
What is indirect characterization?
the highest point of conflict in a story (the most stressful or suspenseful part)
What is the climax?
These characters don't change much throughout the story.
What are static characters?
a character is competing against a computer in a math competition
What is person vs. technology conflict?
a concrete item or action that represents another idea
What is symbolism?
the atmosphere or the feeling the reader gets while reading the story
What is mood?
the message of a story
What is theme?
These characters change a lot throughout the story.
What are dynamic characters?
In “Fish in a Tree” by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Ally Nickerson struggles with her inner feelings of being dumb and purposely gets in trouble of hide her feelings from her peers and teachers.
What is person vs. self conflict?
I could hear her roaring clear down the hall. She is a lion!
What is a metaphor?
the author's attitude towards the subject or characters
What is tone?
the ending of the story where the conflict is usually resolved
What is resolution?
We know many personality traits about these characters.
What are round characters?
What is person vs. supernatural conflict?
Seeing her smile in the crowd of angry faces is like seeing beams of sunshine after a long dark night.
What is a simile?
the location, the time period, and the cultural context
What three details do you need to provide for setting?