Literary Terms and Concepts

Front

Conflict

Back

Struggle in which the characters are involved. Can be internal (inside a character) or external (with a person or force outside the character).

Front

Static Character

Back

A character that doesn't change by the end of the story. The plot has had no impact on them.

Front

Developing/Dynamic Character

Back

A character that undergoes a change from the events in the work. They grow up or learn a lesson, for better or worse, because of the plot of the story.

Front

Stock Character

Back

A character that is familiar to us from other works: a stereotype. Examples include the assistant that really runs the whole company, the dumb deputy, etc.

Front

Round Character

Back

A character that is multi-faceted, or has many faces or hats. They do many things and can't be summed up easily.

Front

Antagonist

Back

The character or force with whom the protagonist has a conflict. Not all stories have an antagonist.

Front

Forces

Back

The antagonist can be a power against the protagonist. Examples include Man Vs. Man, Man Vs. Nature, Man Vs. Unknown (Alien), Man Vs. Society.

Front

Plot

Back

The series of major events in the narrative.

Front

Exposition or Introduction

Back

The part of the plot in which background information is introduced.

Front

Setting

Back

The time and place in which a work of literature occurs.