LITERARY TERMS

1. Setting: Where and when the story is taking place (e.g.

France 1950s)
2. Theme: A recurring idea in the storywhat the authors
message is (e.g. death, friendship, love, family).
3. Character: It is a person in a short story.
a. Main Character/Protagonist: The person around
whom the conflict resolves.
b. Antagonist: It is the person who challenges the
protagonist and who causes the conflict in the story.
4. Character Development: It is the change in the person
from the beginning of the story to the end of the story.
a. Dynamic character: When a character changes in
personality

and

attitudei.e.

when

character

develops or learns a lesson.

b. Static character: When a character experiences no
change in personality or attitude.
5. Plot: What the story is about.
a. Exposition/Introduction: Characters and setting are
introduced.
b. Rising Action: Obstacles and conflict are introduced.
c. Climax: The most intense and exciting point of the
story; this is where the conflict is faced. It is also the
turning point of the story.
d. Denouement/Falling Action: The point in the story
where everything becomes clear to the reader.

e. Resolution/Conclusion: This is when the conflict in

the story has been resolved.
6. Conflict: It is a situation or problem which the main
character is faced with and must solve.
a. Internal: When the main characters problem (conflict)
lies within. Ex. Feeling guilt or doubt.
b. External: When the main characters problem (conflict)
comes from outside forces. Ex. War, a fight with another
character, a tornado.
7. Foreshadowing: A hint or allusion to events which will

8.

occur in the future.

Symbol: An object or thing that represents an idea or
concept. Ex: A dove is a symbol for peace; a skull is a symbol
for death.