Key terms Flashcards
(57 cards)
exposition
he beginning of a narrative, which introduces character, setting, and situation, hinting at the main conflict
incident/force
the moment at which the major conflict is created or revealed to the reader
Rising action
a series of events between the inciting incident and the climax that complicate the main conflict, building towards the climax
Crisis
a moment within the rising action at which the protagonist is faced with a crucial decision, the outcome of which leads to the climax of the narrative
Climax
the point of highest tension of the narrative; the turning point of the plot, which begins to resolve the main conflict; the moment at which the balance of power is reversed
Falling action
a series of events between the climax and the denouement/resolution that unravels the main conflict set up by the inciting incident
denouement/resolution
the end of a narrative, at which point the main conflict is completely resolved; it is this point that makes clear what, if anything, the characters have/have not learned (a moment of epiphany or a failure to learn) in order to reveal the meaning/theme of the text
Conflicts
the opposition of two forces (individual versus individual, individual versus self, individual versus society, individual versus nature, etc.); every plot revolves around a conflict and functions to resolve this conflict
Subplot
a secondary story/sequence of events; present in many longer narratives; its connection to the main plot is significant in that it reinforces the themes through repetition or contrast
protagonist
Central character
antagonist
The advisory to the central character
Round character
a fully-developed/complex three-dimensional character
Flat character
a limited/undeveloped character with few traits
stock/stereotypical character
a flat character in a standard role with standard traits
static character
a character who does not change, or only changes in a superficial or temporary way
dynamic character
a character who changes in response to the action of the narrative; this change is significant, internal, and lasting
Foil character
a character, usually minor, designed to emphasize a particular trait of the protagonist through similarity and contrast (this character will have many striking similarities to the protagonist to emphasize one key difference in their characters); this particular trait is significant to theme
Antihero
a protagonist who lacks traditional heroic qualities (courage, physical prowess, etc.), feels helpless and out of control in the world, is often a social outcast, and is ultimately unable to act on his/her ideals; any heroic act accomplished by this character is often accidental
Time
of day, month, season, year, period/era
Place
location/building, geographical locale, country/continent, universe
Social/historical context
prevailing social/religious/political/moral attitudes of this time and place
Mood
the feeling inspired in the reader, often developed by the time and place of the setting but also by the characters and their relationships, or the events/conflict of the narrative
First person pov
told from the point of view of a character in the story, using first person pronouns (I, me, my, us, our, etc.)
first person major narration
told from the point of view of the protagonist
