Setting
the time and place where the story occurs
conflict
obstacles or problems encountered by characters in a story
parable - a brief story with a moral lesson
a brief story with a moral lesson
mood
the "atmosphere" of a text or the way it makes you feel when you read
Archetype
a story, theme, or characters, that is familiar and repeated throughout cultures
epic
a long composition usually centered upon a hero
Imagery
a vivid description using the five senses
prose
describes all writing that is not poetry or drama
Sacred Literature
writing that is venerated for the worship of a deity
myth
traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being, hero, or event, and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature
personification
non-human things are given human traits or abilities
Protagonist
the main character in a literary work
narrator
one who tells the story
Epithet
a brief descriptive phrase used to describe a character
trickster
stories that contain mischievous troublemakers who try to manipulate others to get what they want
Folk Tales
a brief story passed by word of mouth from generation to generation
Repetition
intentional reuse of a word, phrase, or sentence
cliche
anything that has become trite or commonplace
Ballad
a poem that could be sung that tells a story
Symbol
anything that stands for or represents both itself and something else
Foreshadowing
use of clues of hints in a story to give the reader an idea about what will happen
irony
the opposite of what is implied or intended
flashback
an interruption in the chronological sequence of a story and presents an event that occurred earlier
legend
an unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical
motif
a reoccurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work
Parallelism
two ideas, words, or phrases that are of equal weight or value
Genre
category or type of literature
Character
a person in a story
Catharsis
how an audience releases emotions after attending a tragic play
Tragic Flaw
a weakness that causes the downfall of a character
Tragedy
tells the story of the downfall of a person of high status
Drama
a story told through characters played by actors
Theme
the central idea in a literary work
Hubris
greek word for pride
Comedy
a play with a happy ending
Dialogue
a conversation between two characters
Foil
a character who contrasts with a central character to highlight strengths and weaknesses
Dramatic irony
a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character