Literary Terms and Concepts

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mood

Back

the primary feeling that the reader experiences while reading

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description

Back

a portrait painted in words of a person, place, or thing

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protagonist

Back

the main character, usually the "good guy", but doesn't necessarily have to be good

Front

antagonist

Back

a character or force in conflict with the main character, usually the "bad guy"

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point of view

Back

the narrator's position in relation to a story being told; there are 4 types

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conflict

Back

problem or tension a character faces; there are 2 types and 4 subtypes

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exposition

Back

setting, characters, and initial conflict are introduced

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rising action

Back

a series of events leading up to the most tension in a story

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climax

Back

turning point; tension in the story reaches its highest point

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falling action

Back

decrease in tension in the story; shift towards resolution