A struggle that takes within the character's own mind and he/she has trouble deciding what to do in a situation (Man vs Himself)

Introduces setting and characters; reveals a conflict/sets the stage for conflict; usually at the beginning of the story

The series of conflicts that build a story toward a climax. Introduces obstacles that make the conflict more complicated; incidents and dialogue that propel action

Turning point in story; moment of greatest suspense; conflict at its most intense and dramatic

Reveals outcome of story's climax; eases the tension; shows how main character resolves conflict.

Reveals story's final outcome where the problem is solved; ties up loose ends

character who tells the story; can be the author or a fictional character

series of events that center on a conflict faced by the main character(s)

time and place (when and where) story takes place

individuals who take part in the action of the story

language that communicates meanings beyond the literal meanings of words; words are used to symbolize ideas and concepts they would not otherwise be associated with

a comparison things that are basically different but have some qualities in common. Unlike a simile, though, metaphors do not use the word "like" or "as"

a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things using the word "like" or "as"

an animal, object, or idea being given human qualities such as a personality

the ideas, values, feelings, and beliefs that influences the way the writer looks at a topic

the reason a writer is writing a particular piece: to inform or explain; to persuade; to entertain

an interruption of the action to return to events that took place at an earlier time for the purpose of making something in the present more clear

the method of narration used in a short story, novel, narrative poem, or work of nonfiction: first-person, third-person, third-person omniscient, third-person limited

when a writer gives clues that suggest future events in the story

a figure of speech: truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect.

an expression that has a meaning different from the meaning of its individual words. Example: you're driving me nuts...does not mean you are LITERALLY driving a person in a car or that you are turning a person into nuts

descriptive words and phrases that bring a certain picture into the mind of the reader or appeal to one of the five senses (hear, see, smell, touch, taste) for readers

the feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader

the writer's attitude toward his or her subject and audience (can be serious, mock serious, humorous, etc)

the central message the writer shares with the reader (the moral of the story)- often through inference rather than stating it.

a writer's unique use of language that allows a reader to "hear" a human personality in the writer's work.

can make a work sound formal or informal, serious, or humorous; words must be chosen carefully depending on the goal of the piece of writing

the main character or hero of the story

the person or group of people who opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another character

The "problem" in a story that triggers the action. (Ex. man vs. man; man vs. self; man vs. nature; etc.)