ELA Literary Terms

Narrator

• main character

• the author

• a side character

• the person/voice telling the story

protagonist

• main character or hero

• enemy of the main character

• author

• person/voice telling the story

antagonist

• main character or hero

• opponent of the main character

• author

• person/voice telling the story

dynamic character

• main character or hero

• opponent of the main character

• a character who changes throughout the course of the story

• a character who does not change throughout the course of the story

static character

• main character or hero

• opponent of the main character

• a character who changes throughout the course of the story

• a character who does not change throughout the course of the story

round character

• a character who is usually in opposition to the main character

• a character who displays a wide range or personality traits

• a character who displays very few personality traits

• a character who experiences little to no change

flat character

• a character who is usually also the main character

• a character who displays a wide range of personality traits

• a character who displays very few personality traits

• a character who grows and changes over the course of the story

check each example of direct characterization

• the author makes direct comments about what a character is like

• The author shows readers what a character is like through their actions, thoughts, or feelings

• the author shows readers what a character is like through their physical appearance

• the author shows readers what a character is like through other characters' thoughts, words, or actions

check each example of indirect characterization

• the author makes direct comments about what a character is like

• The author shows readers what a character is like through their actions, thoughts, or feelings

• the author shows readers what a character is like through their physical appearance

• the author shows readers what a character is like through other characters' thoughts, words, or actions

plot

• action or sequence of events in a story

• the end of a story

• the beginning of the story

• the most exciting part of a story