Short Story - Literary Key Terms

Front

Protagonist

Back

The main character (the character we root for)

Front

Setting

Back

When and where the story takes place

Front

Antagonist

Back

The character standing in the protagonist’s way

Front

Exposition

Back

Explanation at the start of the story

Front

Rising Action

Back

When the tension is building towards the climax

Front

Climax

Back

The resolution to the problem / The most exciting part

Front

Falling action

Back

After the climax, when the story resolved

Front

Resolution

Back

How the problem resolved

Front

Theme

Back

The main message in the story.