1. Literary Terms

2. Character Terms
Antagonist - Usually the principal character in opposition to the protagonist. The “bad guy”.
Protagonist - The central character or hero in a literary work. The “good guy”.
Flat Character - Characters who are described simply or underdeveloped.

3. Character Terms Continued
Round Character - A character whose personality, background, motives, and other features are fully described by the author.
Dynamic Character - A character who undergoes major changes as the plot unfolds.
Static Character - A character who remains the same as the plot unfolds.

4. Figurative Language
Foreshadowing - A writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate that something will occur later in the plot.
Flashback - A conversation, event, or episode that happened before the beginning of the story.
Symbolism - when a person, place, activity, or object stands for something else.
Simile - a comparison between two things using “like” or “as”.

5. Figurative Language Continued
Metaphor - a comparison of two unlike things.
Hyperbole – when the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect.
Personification -human qualities are given to an object, animal, or idea.
Imagery - Language that causes mental pictures or relates to the five senses

6. Figurative Language Continued
Onomatopoeia - The use of words for their sound effects
Tone – The overall feeling a text creates

7. Plot Terms
Setting - The particular time and place in which events occur.
Exposition - Introductory material that gives the background of the story (setting, characters, tone).
Rising Action - Introduces complications, builds suspense, is when the plot “thickens”.
Climax - turning point of the story, the moment suspense reaches its peak, it results in change for main character.

8. Plot Terms Continued
Falling Action - occurs after the climax, resolves conflict, and ties up loose ends
Resolution - solution/outcome
Conflict--Problems or struggles between opposing forces
Internal- struggle that occurs within a character
External- character again an outside force such as nature, another person, or a physical object