Literary Elements

Front

What is the term for the sequence of events in a story?

Back

Plot

Tags

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.6.6

Front

What is the part of a story where the main conflict is introduced?

Back

Exposition

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.10

Front

What do we call the turning point in a story where the main character faces a conflict?

Back

Climax

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.9

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.5.3

Front

What is the term for the events that follow the climax and lead to the resolution?

Back

Falling Action

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.9

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

Front

What is the term for the central struggle between opposing forces in a story?

Back

Conflict

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

Front

What do we call the character or force that opposes the protagonist?

Back

Antagonist

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

Front

What is the term for the emotional atmosphere of a story?

Back

Mood

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

Front

What do we call the author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience?

Back

Tone

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Front

What is the term for the underlying message or main idea of a story?

Back

Theme

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Front

What do we call the use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story?

Back

Foreshadowing

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5