Narrative Vocabulary

1. Narrative Vocabulary Reader’s Handbook Pg. 332, 391

2. antagonist Definition – the person or thing working against the main character Synonyms – competitor, foe Antonyms – friend helper

3. character Definition – a person, animal, or imaginary creature that takes part in the action of a story. Synonyms – personality, actor Antonyms – reader, audience

4. dialogue Definition – words that the characters speak Synonyms – conversation Antonyms – silence

5. dynamic character Definition – changes from the beginning of the story to the end of the story. Synonyms – changes, evolves, grows Antonyms – unchanging, fixed

6. mood Definition – the feeling a literary work gives to readers. Words, phrases, and images create mood. Synonyms – atmosphere, feelings, outlook Antonyms – tone, traits

7. plot Definition – the action or sequence of events in a story Synonyms – action, storyline Antonyms – accident, chance

8. protagonist Definition – the main character or most important character Synonyms – leading role Antonyms – competitor, opponent

9. setting Definition – the time and place of the action in a literary work Synonyms – scene, location Antonyms – character, dialogue

10. static character Definition – stays the same throughout the story Synonyms – unchanging, fixed Antonyms – changing, evolving

11. style Definition – the way the author uses words, phrases, and sentences Synonyms – method, technique Antonyms – theme

12. theme Definition – a writer’s message or main idea Synonyms – big idea, message Antonyms – meaningless

13. tone Definition – the attitude the writer takes toward the audience, the subject, or a character Synonyms – attitude, opinion Antonyms – mood, voice