indirect characterization
what the narrator says, what other characters say
direct characterization
what the character does, says, thinks, or perceives
flat characters
characters defined by one or two dominant traits, not fully developed
round characters
Characters who have some or many different traits that form a complex personality.
character complexity
characters who are both credible and contradictory; characters who surprise us in believable ways; consistently inconsistent
subtext
unspoken thoughts or feelings in what is spoken; "read between the lines
concrete detail
a detail that appeals to one or more of the five senses
significant detail
a detail that reveals something about a character, plot or theme
summary
compressed time in a story; covers a long period of time in a short amount of space
habitual summary
repeated action over unspecified amount of time
linear summary
specific amount of time distilled in a few essential details
scene
the illusion of real-time passing in a story; a relatively short amount of time rendered in much detail
Anecdote
relation of event or events
story
relation of events with meaning, consequence, or cost
plot
relation of events deliberately arranged so as to reveal their dramatic, thematic, and emotional significance
narrative structure
the arrangement of events in a story; the use of time and chronology
conflict
driving element of story and trigger for plot; trouble that leads to more trouble
complications
events or plot points that deepen conflict
crisis
point at which the conflict reaches a point of no return; a moment of potential change
resolution
untangling of conflict, or lasting impact of events; the outcome of crisis
epiphany
a sudden recognition or realization that leads to change
summary dialogue
conveys the content of a longer conversation without taking up much space
indirect dialogue
renders the feeling of what was said without directly quoting
direct dialogue
actual speech in real time
intermixed dialogue
combines all three dialogues to suggest a long conversation, while still giving texture and feeling for the character's speech