Literary Terms and Concepts

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Genre

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A category or type of literature, art, music, etc.

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Setting

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Time and place of a story

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Plot

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The action or sequence of events in a story. The 5 basic parts of the plot are the exposition, rising action, turning point (climax), falling action and resolution (denouement).

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Conflict

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A problem between two forces.

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Character

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The vehicle (person, animal, creation) that moves the story forward

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Protagonist

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The main character; story revolves around this person/entity

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Antagonist

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The person or thing/force that works against the protagonist

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Dynamic

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A character that undergoes significant internal change (the protagonist is usually dynamic)

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Static

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A character that stays the same (usually a minor character)

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Round

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The writer reveals multiple traits as well as background information making this character interesting and layered (NOT synonymous with a dynamic character)