What term is used for a person, animal, or thing in a story?

The term that refers to a person, animal, or thing in a story is "character." In literature, characters are the individuals who drive the narrative forward through their actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. They can be protagonists or antagonists and often embody specific traits or motivations that make them relatable or complex in their roles within the story.

Understanding this term is essential for analyzing a story, as characters play a crucial role in developing the plot and connecting with the reader. The other options represent different elements of a narrative: the plot refers to the sequence of events, the setting describes the time and place where the story occurs, and conflict involves the struggles or problems faced by characters. Each of these elements contributes to a story, but only "character" specifically identifies the entities within the narrative.