Literary Terms and Plot Structures

Front

1st Person Point of View

Back

The narrator is a character in the story and uses words like “I,” “me,” and “we.”

Front

3rd Person Objective Point of View

Back

The narrator is outside the story and only tells what can be seen or heard—like a camera recording events.

Front

3rd Person Limited Point of View

Back

The narrator is outside the story but tells the thoughts and feelings of just one character.

Front

3rd Person Omniscient Point of View

Back

The narrator is outside the story and knows everything about every character, including their thoughts and feelings.

Front

Archetypal Setting

Back

A common, universal setting that shows up across many stories and cultures (like a dark forest, a castle, or the underworld).

Front

Natural Setting

Back

A setting from nature, like mountains, rivers, forests, or deserts.

Front

Manufactured Setting

Back

A man-made setting, such as cities, schools, houses, or battlefields.

Front

Cultural Setting

Back

The beliefs, values, traditions, or rules of a society that shape the story (like family expectations, religion, or social class).

Front

Exposition

Back

The beginning of the story where characters, setting, and conflict are introduced.

Front

Rising Action

Back

Events that build tension as the main character faces problems or obstacles.