Fundamental Lit Terms

Front

The sequence of events in a story.

Back

plot

Front

A main idea or central message in a literary work.

Back

theme

Front

The time and place in which a story takes place.

Back

setting

Front

A struggle between opposing forces.

Back

conflict

Front

A struggle between a character and an external force (character vs. character, character vs. society, or character vs. nature)

Back

external conflict

Front

When a character struggles with something within themselves.

Back

internal conflict

Front

The turning point of a story.

Back

climax

Front

The main character (the character whose fate we are most invested in).

Back

protagonist

Front

The person or force that opposes the protagonist.

Back

antagonist

Front

An author’s means of conveying (getting across) information about a character’s personality, life history, values, physical traits, and the like.

Back

characterization