American Lit

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Theme

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In literature, this is the central idea, message, or underlying meaning of a story that offers insight into life, humanity, or society. Most ____ are not stated; readers must infer them by looking closely at other elements of the work, such as characters, plot, and setting.

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Character

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a person, creature, or other being within a narrative who possesses a combination of moral, intellectual, and emotional qualities, along with specific traits and actions that define them

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Plot

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the series of events in a story that typically revolves around a central conflict faced by the main character.

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Exposition

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The introduction of the story, where the author establishes the setting (time and place), introduces the characters, and presents the initial conflict.

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1. Rising action

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1. The part of the story where events and complications begin to build. This is where the conflict develops and suspense increases, drawing the reader towards the climax.

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1. Climax

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1. The high point of the conflict and the story's most intense or dramatic moment. The central turning point for the main character occurs during this.

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1. Falling action

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1. The sequence of events that follows the climax. In this stage, the action winds down as the story moves towards its end.

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Resolution

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The final outcome of the plot, where the main conflict is resolved and any remaining loose ends are tied up

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What is the difference between a story and a plot?

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• A story is a simple chronological series of events.

• A plot emphasizes the causal relationships between those events—explaining not only what happened but also why. 

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Setting

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the time and place of a story