1. Short Story Terms
Everything your teacher wanted you to know so that you could pretend that you are a writer at a cocktail party.

2. Why learn these terms? You’ll understand how a story works
You’ll get the questions that are asked
You’ll be able to fully express yourself in meaningful conversations about stories
You’ll see that the “parts” work together to make a “whole”
Why Not?

3. Protagonist
The character that all the events in the story revolve around. “The main character.”

4. Antagonist
The antagonist is the character, thing, or idea that opposes the protagonist.
The antagonist causes a CONFLICT for the protagonist.

5. Round Character
We are given information about round characters that make them complex. We see that they have conflicting thoughts, or they may act in ways that are contradictory.

6. Flat Character
We are not given a “full picture” of flat characters. We only see one side of them, and they are often judged as “good” or “bad.”

7. Dynamic Character
These characters show that they change in a significant way throughout the story. They are different in their views, or beliefs, by the conclusion. This change, or movement, is often caused by an epiphany (the light bulb going off).

8. Static Character
A static character remains consistent in their views, actions, and opinions throughout the story. They are the same at the end as they were at the beginning.

9. Stereotype
a type of flat character that we see over and over again in stories. These are often cliché characters.
a character who is strongly characterized by membership to a recognizable group (ex. race, social status, gender)
Also referred to as a “stock” character.

10. Foil Character
A foil character provides a contrast which highlights the features of another character.

11. Conflict
The struggle between opposing forces in a story. This is usually a clash between the protagonist and antagonist.
Character versus Character
Character versus Environment
Character versus Self

12. Stages of Plot Development
Introduction-This is where the writer presents the information needed to understand the events to follow. The scene is set, and the character(s) are introduced in this stage.
Complication-This is the event in the story that introduces the conflict.
Rising Action-This is the series of events that move the plot forward. These events lead up to the climax of the story.
Climax- This is the point of the highest interest in terms of the conflict. “What will happen?”
Denouement- “The untying of the knot.” These are the events that tell us how the story ends, and wrap things up.

13. THEME
The underlying message or statement expressed in the story. In short, what is the author trying to tell us about ourselves or the world? What is the story REALLY about.

14. Harry Potter
According to J.K. Rowling, a major theme in the Harry Potter series is how people deal with the issue of death:
"My books are largely about death. They open with the death of Harry's parents. There is Voldemort's obsession with conquering death and his quest for immortality... I so understand why Voldemort wants to conquer death. We're all frightened of it."

15. Setting
The time, place, and circumstances in which the story occurs or develops.
Examples of details that help establish the setting include:
The time of day
The names of characters. (If the story has characters named Toni, Mario, Luca, Mercutio, and Luigi, it may be set in Italy.)
The weather
The scenery

16. Mood
the prevailing feeling created by the story. (Is it scary, joyous, sombre?)
The setting contributes to the mood.
Setting the mood includes:
Lighting candles.
Playing a Barry White album.
Slipping into something “more comfortable.”
"It was a dark and stormy night" is a cliché line, but it sets a gloomy, scary mood.

17. Tone
the writer's attitude toward the material and/or readers. Tone may be playful, formal, intimate, angry, serious, ironic, outraged, baffled, tender, serene, depressed, etc.

18. Symbolism in general terms, anything that stands for something else.
In literature, a symbol is expected to have significance.
The beaver can be symbolic of Canada.
A conch shell can be symbolic of democracy.
A fishing net can be a symbol of control/power.
Others?

19. Point Of View The perspective from which the story is told.
There are 4 types we will focus on:

20. First Person
Stories in this point of view the story is told from the perspective of a character.
Gamers will be familiar with first person beauties such as Call of Duty, Fortnight, and Doom.
“We were bored so I went to get the Bee-Gees 8- track from the station wagon.”

21. 3rd Person Omniscient
In this point of view the narrator knows everything and may reveal the motivations, thoughts and feelings of all the characters.
“Carl thought that this was a
crazy idea, didn’t Lenny know
that he hated the Bee-Gees?
Meanwhile, Stu was elated and
rehearsed the steps to the hustle
in his head.”

22. 3rd Person Limited Omniscient
In this point of view the narrator knows the motivations, thoughts and feelings of one or two characters.
“Carl thought it was a crazy idea. Meanwhile, Stu stood there with a stupid grin on his face.”

23. Objective
This point of view presents the action and the characters' speech, without comment or emotion. The reader has to interpret them and uncover their meaning.
“Carl raised his eyebrows and his jaw dropped. Stu stood there with a stupid grin on his face.”

24. Congrats!