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Humanities LibreTexts

Glossary

  • Page ID
    275104
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    Definition: Address the Problem

    When the protagonist performs a significant action in direct response to the problem that is confronting them.

    Definition: Basic Format

    A collection of essential story elements that make up the beginning, middle, and end (BME) of a narrative.

    Definition: Catalyst

    A significant event or moment that directly impacts the character—resulting in some sort of change.

    Definition: Change in the Protagonist

    The gradual personality change of a character that begins to appear noticeable around halfway through the story.

    Definition: Character Admiration

    Designing a character so their traits are looked up to by the reader

    Definition: Character Arc

    The gradual change of a character that occurs from the Beginning and concludes at the End.

    Definition: Character Empathy

    Designing a character so that the reader is able to understand how the character thinks and feels on a personal level.

    Definition: Character Likeability

    Developing certain traits or actions in a character to make the reader develop an emotional attachment.

    Definition: Character Sympathy

    Designing a character so that their misgivings or hardships will develop compassion from the reader.

    Definition: Conclusion

    The results of The Test that determine whether the protagonist solves the problem or not.

    Definition: Dawn Traits

    The personality traits of a character toward the beginning of the story.

    Definition: Descriptors

    Words or phrases that assist the reader in visualizing a character or setting more succinctly.

    Definition: Dialogue

    When a character speaks either to themselves or to another character in which their voice is present in the text.

    Definition: Digging a Hole

    A narrative limitation where characters are put into a puzzle in which the author must develop a creative solution.

    Definition: Dusk Traits

    The personality traits of a character toward the end of the story.

    Definition: Exposition

    A Tell technique that explains the background information about the setting, characters, and problem of a story.

    Definition: First Person Perspective

    Written works in which the main character is represented using I/Me pronouns.

    Definition: High Noon Traits

    Somewhere in the middle of the story where a character has transitioned away from their Dawn traits but has not reached their Dusk traits—creating a hybrid mixture of the two.

    Definition: Imperative Tone

    A type of second person perspective in which the reader is given commands with a verb in its infinitive state.

    Definition: Play writing

    Not to be confused with playwriting, play writing is experimenting with limitations that are more than likely to fail, but its low-stakes allow for fun exploration that will ultimately improve the author long-term.

    Definition: Point of No Return

    A point in the story where the protagonist makes a critical decision or performs an irreversible action that significantly alters the course of the story.

    Definition: Point of View

    The perspective that the reader has access to when connecting to particular characters in the story.

    Definition: Problem

    A situation that negatively affects the protagonist so much that they must come up with a solution.

    Definition: Prompt

    Technical limitation, such as a word, phrase, or question designed to inspire a creative response.

    Definition: Protagonist

    The character whose actions will push the plot until the end of the story.

    Definition: Second Person Perspective

    Written works in which the main character is represented either through you pronouns or through the imperative tone.

    Definition: Setting

    The location of the story, which comprises of space, time, and conditions of the area.

    Definition: Show

    Providing indirect information so the reader must piece together what the author is trying to convey.

    Definition: 'So What?' Clause

    A rhetorical question(s) to ask oneself when writing in order to determine whether a character, chapter, setting, or other element is actually needed in a story.

    Definition: Story Elements

    Noticeable actions or moments in the story that either set up or move the plot forward.

    Definition: Suspense

    The stress felt by the audience on whether the tension in the moment will result in a significant consequence.

    Definition: Tell

    Providing direct information to the reader rather than having them infer the information on their own.

    Definition: Tension

    The stress felt by the audience as two forces exert pressure on one another.

    Definition: Test

    The event that occurs after the protagonist performs an action that triggers The Point of No Return.

    Definition: Theme

    A central idea or resonating message that emerges from story elements like characters, setting, and plot—often reflecting on some insight about being human.

    Definition: Third Person Closed

    Using third person to only focus on one character throughout the story.

    Definition: Third Person Open

    Using third person to move through multiple characters throughout the story.

    Definition: Third Person Perspective

    Written works in which the main character is represented either through they/them pronouns or through their name.

    Definition: Voice

    The character's personality that is reflected through the dialogue the character speaks with.

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