1. Literary Elements

2. Where and when a story takes place
setting
Where and when a story takes place

3. protagonist
The main character in a story; the character you are rooting for

4. antagonist
The character or force opposing the main character

5. plot
The events that happen in a story

6. exposition
At the beginning of the story; provides background information about characters and setting
Who, what, where, and when

7. exciting force
The event that gets the action of the story going; the event that gets the story moving

8. Rising action
The series of conflicts (struggles) that build the story to its climax

9. climax
The high point, or turning point, in a story

10. falling action
Occurs after the climax; minor conflicts are solved.

11. resolution
The final outcome in a story; the end result
A Royal

12. plot diagram Climax Falling Action Resolution Rising Action
Exciting Force
Exposition

13. A struggle (problem) between two forces
conflict
A struggle (problem) between two forces

14. Types of conflict Man vs. man Man vs. self Man vs. society
Man vs. nonhuman (nature, supernatural, beast, fate, etc.)

15. point of view
Perspective from which a writer tells the story

16. first person P.O.V.
One of the characters is telling the story, using the pronoun “I”
The “I” narrator

17. The “all-knowing” point of view
omniscient P.O.V.
The person telling the story knows everything there is to know about the characters: their thoughts, actions, problems, etc.
The “all-knowing” point of view

18. limited third person P.O.V.
The narrator, who plays no part in the story, zooms in on the thoughts and feelings of one character

19. theme A story’s message about life; The moral of a story
Be careful what
you wish for
The grass isn’t always greener on the other side
Never underestimate your opponent
You can overcome
your past

20. dramatic irony Don’t open the door!
When the audience knows something important that a character does not know
Don’t open the door!

21. verbal irony
When a writer or speaker says one thing but really means something completely different
“Wow, that outfit looks great on you.”

22. situational irony
When there is a contradiction between what we expect to happen and what really does take place