Terms You Should Know

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Theme

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The central idea or message in a piece of literature.

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Plot

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The sequence of events in a story.

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Setting

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Where and when a story takes place.

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Characterization

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How an author develops a character’s personality, traits, and motivations.

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Conflict

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The main problem or struggle in a story (e.g., man vs. man, man vs. self).

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Point of View

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The perspective from which a story is told (e.g., first person, third person).

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Mood

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The feeling or atmosphere created for the reader.

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Tone

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The author’s attitude toward the subject, reflected in writing style.

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Foreshadowing

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Hints or clues about events that will happen later.

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Flashback

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A break in the narrative to show a past event.