A portion of a narrative that explains the history leading up to the main part of the narrative
backstory
A narrative structure in which a story ends where it begins
circular structure
An ending to a chapter or story in which the reader is left wondering what will happen next
cliffhanger
An event in a story that happened before that point in the story
flashback
A narrative structure that moves forward in the order in which events occur
linear structure
A narrative structure in which events occur out of chronological order
nonlinear structure
A narrative structure in which multiple storylines come together
parallel structure
The sequence of events that make up a story
plot
The major character in a story or novel
protagonist
The point at which the main conflict in a story's plot is settled or resolved
resolution
A narrative approach in which the reader is kept in a state of uncertainty
suspense
When the audience knows something a character does not
dramatic irony
The use of words that are the opposite of what is meant
irony
When what happens is the opposite of what is expected
situational irony
When a character's words mean the opposite of their literal meaning
verbal irony
Using humor to relieve the tension in a tragedy
comic relief
