Conflict
A struggle or clash between opposing forces
Linear Plot
When the story is in chronological order and does not skew from that order
Subplot
A secondary plot in a literary work
Theme
The central topic, or underlying message of a story. Also known as the central message
Exposition
The introduction of a story where the background information about characters, setting, and events is given to the reader
Inciting Incident
An event or decision that begins a story's problem
Rising Action
A series of events that build suspense leading up to the climax
Climax
The part of a narrative in which the tension or conflict reaches its highest point
Falling Action
Part of the plot where loose ends are resolved and leads toward the closure
Resolution
The part of the story's plot line in which the problem is resolved
Narrator
The person telling the story
Point of View
The perspective from which the story is being told
Textual Evidence
Evidence from the story that supports an idea
Central Character
The main character in the story, another word for protagonist
Protagonist
The main character, or good guy in a story
Antagonist
The opposing force that brings conflict against the protagonist
Setting
The time and place in which the story takes place
Scene
A single situation or unit of dialogue in a play
Script
A written version of a play or movie
Stage Directions
Part of the script of a play that tells the characters how they are to move or speak
Dialogue
A conversation between two or more characters in literary work
Playwright
The person who writes a play
Logical Order
A reasonable or sensible way the something happens or would happen
Motivations
The reason behind a character's actions or behavior