Story Vocabulary

Front 1

Plot

Back 1

The series of events in a story, one growing out of another.

Front 2

Exposition
Inciting Event
Basic Situation

Back 2

The first part of a plot, in which you learn who the story's characters are and what they want.

Front 3

Conflict

Back 3

A struggle between opposing characters or opposing forces.

Front 4

Complications

Back 4

Problems that arise as characters struggle to reach their goals.

Front 5

Climax

Back 5

A story's most emotional or suspenseful point. During the climax we learn how the conflict is resolved.

Front 6

Resolution

Back 6

The last part of a story, in which any remaining questions are answered and loose ends of the plot are tied up.

Front 7

Suspense

Back 7

The anxiety the reader feels about what will happen next in a story.

Front 8

Foreshadowing

Back 8

Hints or clues suggesting what will happen later in a story; often used to build suspense.

Front 9

Characterization

Back 9

The process of revealing the personality of a character in a story.

Front 10

Character

Back 10

A person, animal, or thing in a story, play, or other literary work.

Front 11

Static character

Back 11

One who does not change much during the story.

Front 12

Dynamic character

Back 12

One who changes as a result of the story's events.

Front 13

Protagonist

Back 13

The main character in the story. This character can be good or bad.

Front 14

Antagonist

Back 14

Any character that opposes the protagonist (main character) in the story.

Front 15

Setting

Back 15

The time and place of the story.

Front 16

External conflict

Back 16

A character stuggles against some outside force. This force might be another character or cosiety as a whole or a natural force.

Front 17

Internal conflict

Back 17

Conflict that takes place within the character's own mind. It is a struggle between opposing needs or desires or emotions.