1. Literary Terms
Chapter 1

2. Plot Series of related events that make up a story or drama.
“Plot Graph”

3. Plot Graph Climax Resolution “Rising Action” Complications
“Falling Action”
Resolution
“Rising Action”
Complications
Basic Situation

4. Basic Situation
First part of a plot that introduces characters, setting, and some conflicts.
Also called “exposition”

5. Complication
A series of events or problems that move the story forward toward the climax.
All action leading up to the climax is called Rising Action

6. Climax The “turning point” of the story
The story’s most exciting or suspenseful moment, when something happens to decide the outcome of the conflict.

7. Resolution
Final part of the plot where the problems are resolved and the story ends.
Also called denouement.

8. External Conflict When a character struggles against an outside force.
Another character
Society
Something in nature

9. Internal Conflict A struggle within a character’s mind. Opposing needs
Desires
Emotions

10. Chronological Order Literally: “by order of time”
Story told one minute to the next, and reads in the same span of time as the action actually happens: “Real Time”

11. Foreshadowing
The use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the plot.
Suspense
Warning
What to look out for

12. Flashback
Scene that interrupts action of a story to show events that happened at an earlier time.
Historically
Childhood
Previously that day
Moments before

13. Flash-forward
A scene that interrupts the action of a story to shift into the future.
Imaginary?
Real?
Creates “dramatic irony”

14. Hyperbole An exaggeration for added emphasis. “I could eat a horse!”
“She’s starving to death.”

15. Understatement “Only a flesh wound!”
A form of IRONY when something is purposely stated as less than it is.
Opposite of hyperbole?
Usually for emphasis