Plot Structure
The sequence of events within a literary work. The plot usually begins with an exposition. The central conflict is introduced and developed throughout the rising action until the action reaches its highest point of interest or suspense, which is known as
Exposition
A writing or a speech that explains a process or presents information. In plot structure, it is the part of the work that introduces the characters, the setting, and the basic situation.
Conflict
Struggle between opposing forces that drives the action of the plot. May be external--one that pits a character against another character, a group of people, expectations of society, or nature. An internal __________ is one between opposing tendencies in
Crisis
The turning point of uncertainty and tension resulting from earlier conflict in a plot. At the moment of _______ in a story, it is unclear if the protagonist will succeed or fail in his struggle. The _________ usually leads to or overlaps with the climax
Climax
The highest point of interest or suspense in a story, novel, or play. The moment within a work of literature when the main conflict is resolved. See plot structure.
Falling Action
All of the action in a play that follows the turning point. The ___________________ leads to the resolution or conclusion of the play.
Resolution
Moment within the action of a story that signifies the end of the central conflict. Refer to plot structure.
Denouement
Any events occurring after the resolution. Refer to plot structure.
Motif
A recurrent image, word, phrase, theme, character, or situation.
Theme
A generalization about life that is communicated through the work of literature.
Tone
The writer's attitude toward his or her audience and subject.
Symbol
Anything that stands for or represents a meaning or understanding beyond its literal definition.
Simile
A figure of speech that expresses the resemblance of two different things usually introduced by "as" or "like" (e.g. blue as the summer sky).
Metaphor
A statement of identity between two things. Implies a direct comparison such as, "She is a peach," as opposed to the "like" or "as" comparison found within the simile.
Personification
A figurative use of language which attributes human qualities to ideas or things. Refer to figurative language.
Verbal Irony
(also called sarcasm) is a trope in which a speaker makes a statement in which its actual meaning differs sharply from the meaning that the words ostensibly express. Often this sort of irony is plainly sarcastic in the eyes of the reader, but the characte
Dramatic Irony
(the most important type for literature) involves a situation in a narrative in which the reader knows something about present or future circumstances that the character does not know. In that situation, the character acts in a way we recognize to be gros
Situational Irony
(also called cosmic irony) is a trope in which accidental events occur that seem oddly appropriate, such as the poetic justice of a pickpocket getting his own pocket picked. However, both the victim and the audience are simultaneously aware of the situati
Image
The descriptive and figurative language used in literature to create word pictures for the reader, mainly by creating details of sight, taste, touch, smell, and movement within the text. The mental picture of the story we see in our heads.
Foil
A character that serves by contrast to highlight or emphasize opposing traits in another character. For instance, in the film Chasing Amy, the character Silent Bob is a foil for his partner, Jay, who is loquacious and foul-mouthed. In Shakespeare's Hamlet
Dynamic Character
(Also called a round character) A character whose personality changes or evolves over the course of a narrative or appears to have the capacity for such change. The round character contrasts with the flat character, a character who serves a specific or mi
Static Character
A simplified character who does not change or alter his or her personality over the course of a narrative. Such static characters are also called flat characters if they have little visible personality or if the author provides little characterization for
Protagonist
The main character in a work of literature. Usually the "good guy" or the character whom the audience or reader would like to see succeed.
Antagonist
The character or force that opposes the protagonist. May be another character, a force of nature, a group of people, or some part of the protagonist's personality or psyche.
Hamartia
A term from Greek tragedy that literally means "missing the mark." Originally applied to an archer who misses the target, came to signify a tragic flaw, especially a misperception, a lack of some important insight, or some blindness that ironically result
Hubris
Difficult to translate directly into English. It is a negative term implying both arrogant, excessive self-pride or self-confidence, and also a hamartia (see above), a lack of some important perception or insight due to pride in one's abilities. It is the
Catharsis
An emotional discharge that brings about a moral or spiritual renewal or welcome relief from tension and anxiety. According to Aristotle, it is the marking feature and ultimate end of any tragic artistic work. He writes in his Poetics (c. 350 BCE): "Trage
Peripeteia/Reversal
The sudden reversal of fortune in a story, play, or any narrative in which there is an observable change in direction. In tragedy, this is often a change from stability and happiness toward the destruction or downfall of the protagonist.
Anagnorisis/Recognition
(Greek for "recognition"): A term used by Aristotle in the Poetics to describe the moment of tragic recognition in which the protagonist realizes some important fact or insight, especially a truth about himself, human nature, or his situation. Aristotle a
Pathos
(Greek, "emotion"): In its rhetorical sense, _________ is a writer or speaker's attempt to inspire an emotional reaction in an audience--usually a deep feeling of suffering, but sometimes joy, pride, anger, humor, patriotism, or any of a dozen other emoti