Literary Terms

Front

The sequence of events that make up a story

Back

Plot

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

The central, or universal, message or lesson of a story

Back

Theme

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

A state of feeling of exciting or anxious uncertainty about what may happen next in a story

Back

Suspense

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

The time and place of a story

Back

Setting

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Front

The beginning of a story where the characters, the setting, and the problem (conflict) are introduced

Back

Exposition

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Front

Where the suspense builds and the problem gets worse and becomes more complicated. The events that lead up to the climax.

Back

Rising Action

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

The highest point in the conflict. Where the problem (conflict) gets really BIG and the main character (protagonist) must make some sort of decision. This is the most exciting part of a story.

Back

Climax

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Character(s)

Back

The personalities in a story

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

A struggle within the character's own mind

Back

Internal Conflict

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

The character struggles against an outside force

Back

External Conflict

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3