1. Literary Terms Short Story Notes

2. Protagonist The main character in a work of literature

3. Antagonist A character in a work of literature who opposes the protagonist and creates conflict

4. Universal Conflicts 1. Character vs. Self (Internal)

5. Universal Conflicts 2. Character vs. Character (External)

6. Universal Conflicts 3. Character vs. Nature (External)

7. Universal Conflicts 4. Character vs. Fate (External)

8. Universal Conflicts 5. Character vs. Society (External)

9. Stages of a Plot

10. 1. Exposition Introduces people, places, and situations that are important in a work of literature

11. Stages of a Plot 2. Narrative Hook Catches the reader’s attention by introducing an interesting situation or problem

12. Stages of a Plot 3. Rising Action Adds complications to the problem

13. Stages of a Plot 4. Climax = The moment of highest interest when the outcome of the conflict becomes clear; the “turning point”

14. Stages of a Plot 5. Denoument (Falling Action) The result of the climax

15. Stages of a Plot 6. Resolution The final outcome in a work of literature

16. Stages of a Plot (Review)

17. Foreshadowing The use of clues by an author to prepare readers for events to come

18. Character Types 1. Flat Characters who reveal only one personality trait

19. Character Types 2. Round Characters who reveal varied and sometimes contradictory traits

20. Character Types 3. Static Characters who do not change

21. Character Types 4. Dynamic Characters who grow and change in a piece of literature

22. Characterization 1. Direct The author directly states facts about a character

23. Characterization 2. Indirect = The reader learns about a character through his/her words, actions, and other characters’ reactions

24. Theme The main idea of a work of literature - a general statement about life

25. Irony: Situational When what actually happens in a situation is the opposite of what we expect

26. Irony: Verbal When a person says one thing and means another Ex: Saying an unkempt person looks good

27. Names in Literature Pay attention to names in literature. Wile E = “Wily” Wily means sneaky

28. Point of View (definition) The relationship of the narrator (storyteller) to the story

29. Point of View 1. First Person Story is told by one (or more) of the characters using “I”

30. Point of View 2. Second Person Uses “you” - very rare

31. Point of View 3. Third Person Limited = Story is told using “he,” “she,” and “they” to describe characters

32. Point of View 4. Third Person Omniscient -Uses “he,” “she,” and “they,” but narrator knows the thoughts of all the characters

33. Point of View 5. Unreliable Narrator A narrator who can’t be trusted