Alliteration
repetition of a single letter or combination of letters.
Allusion
a brief reference to a presumably familiar person or thing
Antagonist
one who opposes the actions and efforts of the main character.
Atmosphere
the mood or feeling evoked by the story.
Characterization
how the character's personality is revealed.
Climax
the moment in the story when the conflict reaches its highest point of tension.
Conflict (and types)
the opposition of two forces or characters. (external conflict)(internal conflict).
Denouement
The unraveling of the plot, the clarification of unknown items, or the solution of a mystery.
Dialect
The way of speaking that is peculiar to a locality, religion, or group.
Dialogue
Conversation.
Exposition
A summary of background information on the characters that is presented as it happens.
Flashback
A movement in time from the present back to former time to provide background information.
Foreshadowing
Information given to the reader that provides a hint of what will happen later in the story.
Hero
The main character; protagonist.
Hyperbole
Exaggeration.
Imagery
Language that appeals to the senses.
Irony
A contrast between what is expected and what really happens; the opposite of what is meant.
Metaphor
A comparison between two things.
Mood
The atmosphere or feeling.
Motivation
The internal factors that cause a character to act in a particular way.
Narrator
The character telling the story.
Onomatopoeia
A word that sounds like the thing it refers to.
Oxymoron
Putting two contradictory words together.
Personification
Giving human qualities to animals or objects.
Pun
A word is used which has two meanings at the same time, which results in humor.
Point of View
The perspective from which the story is told.
Protagonist
Main character.
Resolution
The story ends, problems are solved.
Rising Action
Events leading to the climax.
Satire
A form of irony that makes fun of the faults of people with the best interests of society in mind.
Setting
Time/place.
Simile
A comparison using like or as.
Symbol
An object that represents an idea or set of ideas.
Theme
The central meaning behind the story.
Tone
A manner of expression showing the attitude of the story.