plot
the action that makes up the story
conflict
a problem or struggle between two opposing forces
exposition
the part of the story, usually near the beginning, that explains the background and setting and introduces the main characters
rising action
central part of the story during which various problems arise
climax
the high point in the action of the stor (usually near the end)
falling action
the action and dialogue following the climax that lead the reader into the story’s end
resolution
the final outcome, where problems are usually solved
narrator
person or character who tells the story
point of view
the angle from which a story is told
omniscient point of view
the narrator reveals the thoughts of several characters and is not a character
limited omniscient point of view
the narrator reveals the thoughts of only one character and is not a character
first person point of view
one of the characters is telling the story (uses “I”)
second person point of view
narrates by using “you”. Second person is very rarely used.
third person point of view
the narrator refers to characters as “he” or “she”; the narrator is outside the story
dialogue
the conversations that characters have with one another
character
a person (or animal with human characteristics) in a literary work
round character
well-developed characters with more than one personality trait
flat character
characters who have only one personality trait
dynamic characters
characters who change during a story
static characters
characters who remain primarily the same throughout a story
