Plot
The sequence of events in a literary work
Point of View
the perspective from which a story is told
Characterization
The process when an author shows the personality of a character. Usually achieved through description, thoughts, words, actions, and reactions of characters
Setting
The time, place, and environment in which a story takes place
Theme
the central idea or moral or lesson of the story; what the reader discovers by the story's end, which provides him/her with deeper insights about life, people and him/herself
Inference
logical interpretation based on prior knowledge, experience, and observation
Foreshadow
to indicate or suggest beforehand; to give a warning of
Irony
a contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens
Flashback
a scene or event from the past that appears in a narrative out of chronological order, to fill in information or explain something in the present
Suspense
quality of a short story, novel, play, or narrative poem that makes the reader or audience uncertain or tense about the outcome of events
Climax
most exciting moment of the story; turning point
Stereotype
generalized belief about a group of people
Exaggeration
To make an overstatement or to stretch the truth.
Conflict
a struggle between two opposing forces
Symbol
an object that is used to represent something else (usually a larger, philosophical and more important idea)