Elements Of The Novel

Front 1

Characterization

Back 1

The methods a writer uses to communicate information about characters to readers.

Front 2

Direct Characterization

Back 2

When the author tells the reader directly about a character.

Front 3

Indirect characterization

Back 3

When the author shows the character in action and lets the reader draw his/her own conclusions.

Front 4

Climax

Back 4

The moment when the action comes to its highest point of dramatic conflict. Most often, the climax occurs before the acutal ending of the story.

Front 5

Complication

Back 5

Any obstacle that increases the tension of the story conflict

Front 6

Conflict

Back 6

The central source of tension and drama in the story.

Front 7

Dialogue

Back 7

Actual words that the characters speak

Front 8

Exposition

Back 8

Background material about characters, setting, and dramatic situation with which the author introduces the essentials of the story to the reader

Front 9

Falling action

Back 9

The part of the story following the climax and leading to the resolution in which there is a sharp decline in dramatic tension.

Front 10

Foreshadowing

Back 10

A writing technique that gives readers clues about events that will happen later in the story

Front 11

Narrator

Back 11

The speaker who tells the story.

Front 12

Point of view
Omniscient
Limited

Back 12

The perspective from which the story is told. Omniscient: if the narrator is outside the story and presents the thoughts of many characters involved
Limited: When the story is told from the viewpoint of one character who can only see a part of a whole story.

Front 13

Protagonist

Back 13

Central character of the story. The character that is often written as "the hero."

Front 14

Resolution

Back 14

Conclusion of the story.

Front 15

Rising Action

Back 15

The part of the story, including exposition, in which the tension rises.

Front 16

Setting

Back 16

The environment of the story.

Front 17

Symbol

Back 17

An object, character, or action that stands for an idea beyond its literal meaning

Front 18

Theme

Back 18

The story's main ideas, the message that the author tries to communicate throughout the story. Themes are often universal truths suggested by the specifics of the story.

Front 19

Flashback

Back 19

A scene that takes place in a previous time than the present time in the novel

Front 20

Plot

Back 20

Arrangement of story events that defintes a novle's structure.