 Dynamic character: A dynamic character is one who changes by the end of the story, learning something that changes him or her in a permanent way.  Static character: A static character does not change; he or she is the same person at the end of the story as he was at the beginning.

 Round character: A round character is fully developed; readers may even be able to anticipate the actions of a round character if the characterization is well done and consistent.  Flat character: We know very little about a flat character; flat characters are not meant to serve as main characters. They serve as necessary elements in plot or as elements of the setting.

 Narrator: The narrator is the speaker in a work of fiction or non-fiction.  Unreliable narrator: An unreliable narrator is a narrator, whether in literature, film, or theatre, whose credibility has been seriously compromised.. First person point of view: The narrator, usually the protagonist, tells the story from his/her perspective using I, me, we, etc.

 Third person omniscient point of view: The narrator uses third person pronouns (he/she/they etc.) and is God-like: all knowing (omniscient). This type of narrator is not limited by time or space.  Third person limited point of view: The narrator tells the story using third person pronouns but limits herself to what one character can sense; the limitations are the same as in first person.

 Verbal irony: A discrepancy (difference) between what is said and what is meant. EX: sarcasm  Situational irony: A discrepancy between what is expected, as in action, or as regards the situation/setting, and what one would expect to happen. EX: a fire station burning down

 Dramatic irony: A discrepancy between what the character knows and what the reader knows to be true; it's when the reader knows something the character does not know. EX: the person in the horror movie that doesn’t know that something is about to jump out at them… but you do!

Foreshadowing: Clues that lead the reader to predict what will happen later in the story. Suspense: The author intentionally leaves information out, or doesn't answer questions to prompt the reader to wonder, often anxiously, about what will happen next. Suspense is the quality of "being on the edge of our seat" as we read to see what will happen. Flashback: A strategy of plot sequencing where the author takes the reader back to events that occurred before the present time in the story.

 Imagery: Imagery is language that appeals to the senses. It is description that makes the reader feel he or she is "in the setting." There are six basic kinds of imagery: visual (sight), auditory (sound), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), tactile (touch), and kinesthetic (movement).

Metaphor: A comparison of two generally unlike things meant to illuminate truth. Direct metaphors use "is" to make the comparison explicit. Implied metaphors suggest the comparison. Simile: A metaphor using like, as, than, or similar comparative words to make the connection between two generally unlike things. The intent of a simile is to illuminate truth.

 Personification: Giving human characteristics to non-human things in order to give light to human action, emotion, ideas etc. Symbol/Symbolism: A symbol is a person, place, thing or idea that stands for something else. Water can symbolize purity. Light (as in sun light) often is used to symbolize knowledge or truth.