Literary Terms and Story Elements

An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience.

• situational irony

• dramatic irony

• verbal irony

• resolution

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

There is a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader or audience knows to be true.

• situational irony

• dramatic irony

• verbal irony

• resolution

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Words are used to suggest the opposite of what is meant.

• situational irony

• dramatic irony

• verbal irony

• resolution

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Like a concluding paragraph that resolves any remaining issues and ends the story.

• situational irony

• dramatic irony

• verbal irony

• resolution

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

At the peak of the story, a major event occurs in which the main character faces a major enemy, fear, challenge, or other source of conflict.

• climax

• rising action

• exposition

• resolution

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

The main character is in crisis, and events leading up to facing the conflict begin to unfold.

• climax

• rising action

• exposition

• resolution

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

At the beginning of the story, characters, setting, and the main conflict are typically introduced.

• climax

• rising action

• exposition

• resolution

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

The author provides clues about a character by describing what a character looks like, does, and says, as well as how other characters react to him or her.

• indirect characterization

• direct characterization

• antagonist

• protagonist

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The author directly states a character’s traits.

• indirect characterization

• direct characterization

• antagonist

• protagonist

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

A character in a story who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.

• indirect characterization

• direct characterization

• antagonist

• protagonist

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3