Literary Ter

m s
Mr. Beck
 Plot
0The sequence of events that occur
in a story
0It leads the reader through the
story asking questions
 Hook
The moment in a story that grabs
the readers’ attention.
Suspense
The heightening
emotion that forces
the reader to ask,
“What will happen
next??????”
Suspense uses
tension to elicit a
reader’s desire to
know more.
Conflict: A struggle between two or
more opposing forces
0 Internal Conflict
A struggle which occurs
WITHIN a character.

0Man vs. Self

External Conflict: A struggle between
two characters or a character and
something non-human
0Man vs. Man
0Man vs. Nature
0Man vs. Society
0Man vs. Fate
Plot Structure
The beginning of a story which
introduces readers to the
characters and setting. This
section usually contains the
“hook.”

Exposition
 Complication/ Rising Action
Tension begins to build as the reader is introduced to the conflicts
that will occur in the story. Things get more “complicated” as
problems arise.
 Climax

The highest point of action in the story

occurs here. The most important event or
turning point
Problems begin to get solved. Solutions
to conflicts become obvious.

Falling Action
 Resolution
The Conclusion of the story where problems have been
resolved and conflicts ended. Associated with the term
DENOUEMENT (the unraveling of the knot).
 Remember the difference
Foreshadowing Flashback

Looking ahead. The Looking at events

use of clues to that occurred at an
indicate that earlier time in the
something will NOW story. Looking Back.
happen in the future.
 Theme
0 The underlying message or recurring idea that exists
in a story.

0 Every story has one, but most stories can have several.

0 Examples include: Love, Growth, Maturation,

Tolerance, Hatred, Identity, Revenge, and the list goes
on….
Setting: The Time and Place where a story
occurs.
 Protagonist/Antagonist
Person/thing
Main Character in a working in direct
story contrast to the
Protagonist
 Simile
A comparison using “like” or “as”
 Metaphor
A comparison which does NOT use “like” or “as”
Personification: Giving something that is NOT
human, humanlike qualities.
Hyperbole: Extreme Exaggeration
Onomatopoeia!!!!