characterization
protagonist
antagonist
used to reveal characters & their
personalities
the main or leading character in a
story; the one involved most in the
action of the story
a person who is opposed to or against
the main character in a story
time & place in which a story unfolds
setting
plot
theme
exposition
structure of a story; sequence of events
in a story
major idea broad enough to cover the
entire scope of a story
beginning of story; setting and
characters are introduced
rising action
climax
falling action
resolution
flashback
foreshadowing
conflict
part of a story where the plot becomes
increasingly complicated
turning point; the moment when the
conflict is at its most intense
follows climax; things become clear;
contains action/dialogue necessary to
lead to resolution
portion of a story in which the conflict
is resolved
action that occurred before the
beginning of the story; often as dreams
or memories
used to create expectation or to set up
an explanation of later developments
problem or issue to be resolved in the
story
point of view
vantage point from which the story is
told
person vs. fate
character battles uncontrollable
problem such as disease or a traumatic
event
person vs. self
character struggles inside with
emotions/thoughts and has trouble
deciding what to do
person vs. nature
character has a problem with some
element of the environment such as a
snowstorm
person vs. person
one character in a story has a problem
with one or more of the other
characters
person vs. society
character has a problem with the
community, such as school, the law, or
tradition
first person
main character tells story; offers
opinions about action & characters;
pronoun “I” is used
third person
presented from outside any single
character’s perception without insight
into characters/plot
omniscient
unrestricted, godlike perspective able
to see all actions & look into the
minds of all characters
irony
when the opposite of what you expect
happens
emotions of a work or of the author in
his/her creation of the work
mood
personification
symbolism
List 5 parts of plot line IN ORDER:
List 5 types of literary conflict (in
any order)
object or abstract idea given human
qualities or human form
device where an object represents an
idea
exposition, rising action, climax, falling
action, resolution
person vs. person, person vs. self, person vs.
nature, person vs. society, person vs. fate
author’s purpose
dialogue
imagery
reason for writing: to inform/teach, to
entertain, or to persuade/convince
conversation between people in a
literary work; the speech of characters
in a drama
words that appeal to the 5 senses
(sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing)
THESE ARE P.S.S.A.
WORDS. DO NOT
THROW THESE AWAY!
THESE ARE P.S.S.A.
WORDS. DO NOT
THROW THESE AWAY!
STUDY TIP: Do not just memorize
the first few words of the definition.
Study all parts of the definition but
in a different order each time.
Have someone give you only a
section of the definition when
testing you. I may shorten or
reword the definitions slightly on
the test.
FLASHCARD STUDY TIP: Write your
vocab words on an index card (just the
words) and use that as your word bank.
Study with the DEFINITION facing up
and the word facing down.
Read the definition, look at the word
bank, make a guess, flip the card and
check. Set the ones you consistently get
right off to the side and focus your time &
energy on the ones you are getting wrong.