Key+Literary+Terms

Here are a few key literary terms to know:

Protagonist: the central or main character. Antagonist: the person (or thing) in opposition to the main character. Foil: a character who serves as a contrast or opposite to another character.
 * Character:** the key persons in a story.

Internal conflict: a struggle that takes place within a character (man v. self) External conflict: a struggle that takes place between a character and an outside force (man v. nature; man v. man; man v. society)
 * Conflict**: the tension or struggle in the story.

Exposition: the beginning of the story where the reader is introduced to the characters and the main conflict. Rising Action: the characters' conflict begins to build. Climax: also known as the turning point; the highest point of action in the story where the main character comes face to face with his/her conflict and usually changes in some way. Falling Action: the action begins to calm. Resolution: also known as the denouement; loose ends are tied up- the story comes to an end.
 * Plot**: the series of events in a story.


 * Symbol**: a person, place, object, or action that stands for something beyond itself.


 * Theme**: the main idea or message of the story; a statement about human nature or society. Often the theme is implied.