Literary Terms

Setting

• The time, place and duration of a story.

Characters

•People or animals a story is about.

Conflict

•The problem in the story.

Types of Conflict• Man vs. Man

• Man vs. Nature

• Man vs. Society

• Man vs. Supernatural

• Man vs. Technology

• Man vs. Himself

Resolution

•Solution to the conflict.

Plot–Sequence of events in a story.

Theme• Author’s message or main idea of a story.

Antagonist / Protagonist

• Antagonist: The bad person or thing in a story. Works against good.

• Protagonist: The good person or thing in a story. Hero!

Foreshadowing•An author’s hints/ clues about future events.

Irony•Unexpected events or ending to a story.

Characterization• Direct- the author tells you about a

character through direct description. * “Jack is a dirty, mean, thief.”

• Indirect- the author reveals a character through actions and thoughts.

* “Jack looked closely at the bank vault and paid careful attention to the turning numbers.”