Literary Terms and Vocabulary

Front

Protagonist

Back

the main character in a literary work

Front

Antagonist

Back

The character or force in conflict with the protagonist.

Front

Plot

Back

The chain of events that make up a story

Front

Setting

Back

The time and place of a story

Front

Complications

Back

problems that arise as characters struggle to reach their goals

Front

Exposition

Back

The first part of the plot characters, setting, and basic situation are revealed.

Front

Inciting Incident

Back

The event that sets the story in motion. Makes the rest of the story possible.

Front

Rising Action

Back

The main part of the story, moves the plot along, where complications arise.

Front

Climax

Back

The most exciting or intense part of the story for the protagonist, is usually a turning point.

Front

Falling Action

Back

Events that follow the climax and lead to the resolution. Conflicts begin moving towards resolution.