Antagonist:  the force in conflict with the main character; it may be a person, society, nature, or the main                     character's own self

Climax:  peak or turning point; the outcome of the story becomes obvious

Complications:  incidents which help or hinder the main character (protagonist)

Conflict:  the problem that must be solved; the struggle between the main character (protagonist) and an opposing force; the conflict "drives" the action (plot)

Four Types of Conflict
1.  person-against-self
2.  person-against-person
3.  person-against-society
4.  person-against-nature

Exposition:  an explanation of the situation and condition of the characters

Falling Action (denouement):   occurs after the climax; gives explanations and ties up loose ends

Figurative Language:  uses words in a nonliteral way, giving meaning beyond ordinary one

1.  metaphor - comparing two unlike things without using "as" or "like"
2.  personification - giving human traits to animals, nonhuman beings, or inanimate objects
3.  simile - comparing two unlike things using "as" or "like"

Mood:  the feelings the reader experiences while reading the story

Plot:  the sequence of events; the plan of action

Point-of-View:  the person who is telling the story

1.  first person - a character is telling the story; uses "I"
2.  second person - the author speaks directly to the reader; uses "you" (second person is                 seldom used; found mostly in nonfiction)
3.  third person - uses "he," "she," or "it" - the author is telling the story

Protagonist:  the central or main character in the plot's conflict

Rising Action:  where the complications occur

Setting:  the place and time period in which the story occurs

Theme:  the underlying, often unspoken meaning of the story; usually a statement the author is trying
                to make about society, human nature, or the human condition