Story Elements - technical terms

The narrator reports the facts as a seemingly neutral and impersonal outside observer.

An inherent incompatibility (struggle) between two or more characters or forces in a story.

The leading character in a drama, movie, novel etc. Usually the hero

A struggle, either mental or physical, between two characters

The narrator is an outside observer that focuses on the thoughts & feelings of one character

A story conclusion/ending that the reader does not expect.

The part of a story in which the parts of the plot are pulled together & conflicts are resolved

The part of a plot that occurs after the climax and the conflict/problem has been resolved.

A character which changes during the course of a story or novel.

A related series of events in a literary plot that build toward the point of greatest interest.

The story is told from the viewpoint of one of the characters using the pronouns “I” and “we”

A character who reveals only 1 or 2 personality traits in a story and the traits don't change.

The time and place where a story takes place. This can include a time period.

Takes place between a character and something outside the character.

The climate of feeling in a literary work.

A struggle between a character and his feelings, conscience or fear.

The way the author describes the character; qualities/traits of the characters.

A struggle between a character and mother nature; for example- weather, animals, sickness etc.

Is often a comment that conveys a different or opposite meaning than what it may seem to be.

The feeling of excitement or tension in a story

An author’s use of vocabulary, level of diction, sentence structure, arrangement of ideas.

Takes place inside a characters mind or heart. Sometimes involves a decision.

A common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work.

The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in a story.

A character that remains the same through a story. The reader knows little about the character

A character who demonstrates a variety of traits. These may change over the course of a story.

A struggle between a character and the laws or beliefs of a group; expectations; norms, etc.

Occurs when the audience knows something the characters do not.

A scene interrupts the sequence of events to tell about something that happened in the past

A person in a movie, novel, etc. who opposes or is hostile to the lead character; the "bad" guy

When the expected outcome does not occur in a story, movie, or novel.

A hint or clue about what will happen in story.

A decisive moment that is of maximum intensity; highest most exciting part of the story

Shows the author’s attitude toward the subject. It might be formal, informal, solemn, etc.

A literary device used to introduce background info about events, settings, characters etc.