Antagonist
the character who opposes the protagonist or the goals of the protagonist
Metaphor
Comparing 2 things without using like or as
Climax
the highest point in the plot where the problem/conflict reaches its peak
Personification
figurative language in which non-human things or abstractions are represented as having human qualities
Editing
a stage in the writing process when a written text is prepared for an audience by attending to and correcting mechanics, grammar, and spelling
Mood
the atmosphere or feeling created by the writer in a literary work or passage; mood can be expressed through imagery, word choice, setting, voice, and theme.
Protagonist
the main character in a narrative who is at the center of the story
Resolution
the conclusion or final outcome of a story that in some capacity resolves all problems and conflicts; however, not all stories have clear resolutions
Author’s craft
intentional and deliberate use of organizational patterns, text and graphic features, syntax, devices, and diction to create an effective written work; author’s craft may vary by genre
Context
the words, sentences, or passages that precede or follow a specific word, sentence, or passage
Falling action
the element of plot structure that takes place after the climax and begins to resolve the conflict(s) of the story before the resolution
Author’s purpose
the reason an author writes about a particular topic (e.g., to persuade, to entertain, to inform, to explain to analyze, etc.); the reason an author includes particular details, features, or devices in a work
Figurative language
language not intended to be taken literally but layered with meaning through the use of imagery, metaphors, and other literary devices
Rising action
the element of plot structure that develops the conflict through a series of events to build interest and/or suspense and leads up to the climax
Theme
the central or universal idea of a literary work that often relates to morals and/or values and speaks to the human experience/ condition
Characterization
an author constructs a character by explicitly stating aspects of his/her personality and appearance (direct characterization) or by revealing aspects of a character through their actions, thoughts, speech, other characters
Topic
a specific subject, idea, or issue that is the focus of a discussion, essay, article, or other work
Flashback
a brief interruption in the plot that describes an earlier event or time in order to provide clarity, background, and context about an event currently taking place in the narrative
Revising
a stage in the writing process when a text is examined holistically and changes are made to improve the focus, content, organization, sentence structure, and word choice in order to clarify the intended message, create flow, and more successfully engage the audience
Conflict
in literature, the opposition of persons or forces that brings about dramatic action central to the plot of a story. Conflict may be internal, as a psychological conflict within a character, or external
Tone
the author’s particular attitude, either stated or implied in the writing
Voice
an author’s unique articulation or expression of language created by stylistic elements such as syntax, diction, and figurative language
Audience
the intended target group for a message, regardless of the medium
Setting
the time and place in which a narrative occurs. Elements of setting may include the physical, psychological, cultural, or historical background against which the story takes place.
Genre
the type or class of a work, usually categorized by form, technique, or content