Literary Terms

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Theme

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A universal message that can apply to real life or other stories. Example: A theme of The Wizard of Oz is that someone’s home will always have special importance.

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Narrator Point of View

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A viewpoint a story is told from. Examples: 1st person - I, Me, We; 2nd person – you, yours, yourself; 3rd person – he, him, she, her, it, they, their.

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Resolution

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How the conflict is solved in a story; the ending of a story.

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Conflict

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The struggle between two opposing forces in a story. Can be between two characters or one character struggling with a particular problem. Characters can face both external and internal struggles.

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Argument

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A claim that a writer is defending in a paragraph or short response. Usually the first sentence of a paragraph.

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Character

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An individual in a story, which can be a person, animal, or even an object that has been given human traits.

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Plot

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The sequence of events in a story, including the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

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Setting

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The time and place in which a story occurs, providing context for the characters and events.

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Symbolism

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The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. For example, a dove often symbolizes peace.

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Foreshadowing

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A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.