Round Character
Usually the stars of the story, round characters are rich and complete. Round characters reveal their perspectives to the reader in detail. They might reveal what they think, what they want, or where they come from. We might learn about their passions, their beliefs, or their fears. They are multi-dimensional (meaning you know a lot about them!).
Flat Character
Often minor characters in the story, readers don’t learn as much about flat characters. It is not necessary to know a lot about them to figure out their purpose in the plot. We don’t learn much about what they think, what they want, or what they’re afraid of.
Person vs. Self Conflict
A conflict in which a character struggles against some aspect of themselves, such as ignorance, shyness, weakness or fear.
Person vs. Person Conflict
A conflict in which a character struggles against another character.
Person vs. Society Conflict
A conflict in which a person struggles against the rules, customs, or traditions that govern their social setting.
Person vs. Nature Conflict
A conflict in which a person struggles against some aspect of the natural world, such as weather, animals, or time.
Flashback
An interruption in the story to tell about an event that happened in the past. Flashbacks often appear as memories, dreams or dialogue.
First Person POV
Tells the story from the point of view of a character in the story. Uses "I", "me", and "my" or "we", "us", and "our".
Second Person POV
Addresses the reader directly, putting them in the position of the character in the story. Uses "you", "your". Rare in fiction.
Third Person Omniscient POV
Tells the story from the point of view of a narrator outside the story. Uses "he", "she", and "they". An omniscient narrator knows everything, including the hearts and minds of multiple characters.
Third Person Limited POV
Tells the story from the point of view of a narrator outside the story. Uses "he", "she", and "they". A limited narrator knows only some information, usually limited to the experience of one character.
Simile
A comparison of two things USING ‘like’ or ‘as’.
metaphor
A direct comparison of two completely different things without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
allusion
A reference in the text to a famous person, place or event. Allusions can be to historical events, historical texts (such as the Bible), mythology, music or art.
Dramatic irony
A situation in which the audience knows something that the character does not.
Situational irony
A situation in which the outcome is the opposite of what is expected.
Verbal Irony
A situation in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant (similar to sarcasm.)
Symbol
An object, character, place, or colour that represents a deeper idea or theme.
idiom
a well-known phrase that reads differently from its meaning.
Imagery
Descriptive language that appeals to the five senses (sight, touch, taste, hearing, smell).
Zoomorphism
Similar to personification it is when animal characteristics are given to describe human behaviour.
Personification
A figure of speech when human characteristics are attributed to an object.
Mood
The feeling the reader experiences while reading the story.
Forshadowing
The deliberate hints or suggestions the author places in a text to preview events to come.
Exposition
The early parts of a story that reveal time and place.
Onomotopoeia
The use of words that resemble an actual sound.
Theme
Is the “big idea” raised in the story. It is the underlying message the writer wants the reader to pick up.