1. Literary Terms for Study
Short Stories
Literary Terms for Study

2. Fiction
Stories that are made up
Not true
Usually written in prose

3. Prose Standard form of spoken or written English used for writing
Everything except poetry
Has no rhythm or rhyme

4. Short Story Fiction work usually less than 40 pages
Deals with a single conflict and theme

5. Exposition Beginning of story
Introduces setting, characters and conflict

6. Conflict Struggle between two forces in a story Types of conflict:
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Supernatural
Man vs. Society
Man vs. Self (internal conflict)

7. Rising Action Events in the story that lead to the climax
Must be the obvious causes of the climax
The climax cannot occur without the developments happening first

8. Climax Point of highest action or emotional intensity
Turning point of the conflict
The nature of the conflict will change as a result

9. Falling Action Events after the climax Ties up loose ends of the story
Is a result of the climax
Leads to final end of story

10. Resolution The final outcome of the story
Tells how things end for the character(s)

11. Plot Sequence of events in a story
The pattern in which a conflict is resolved

12. Protagonist Main character of the story
Is followed by the action of the story
Is not always the “good guy”

13. Antagonist The person or force causing problems for the main character
May be human, animal, storm, etc.
Stories with internal conflict will have no antagonist

14. Round Character
Characters that have varied and often conflicting qualities
Ex. A student who fights a lot at school but is gentle and kind with small children.

15. Dynamic Character
Characters who begin one way then change as a result of the story’s events
These characters grow and evolve because of what happens to them in the story

16. Static Character
Characters who do not change but always stay the same throughout the story

17. Characterization
Methods used by an author to reveal the looks, beliefs, motivations or personality of a character
Two types of characterization:
Direct characterization – author comes out and tells you exactly what the character is like
Indirect characterization – you must decide about the character based on character’s words and actions

18. Character traits Qualities of a character’s personality or appearance
Blonde hair, blue eyes (appearance)
Honest, fun-loving (personality)

19. Foreshadowing
The subtle revealing of clues that hint to events that will occur later in the story

20. Setting The time and place of the story
Words or phrases that describe the time and place of the story reveal its setting
Can affect actions and attitudes of characters

21. Tone
The attitude a narrator feels toward the subject of which he is speaking
The “voice” the narrator uses to talk about the character
Example: When your mom’s angry with you, you can tell by the tone of her voice and the words that she uses to talk to you or about you.

22. Verbal Irony
When a character says something that can have multiple meanings
An intentional, but true, statement that will mislead other characters.

23. Situational Irony
When you get the opposite of what you expect in a situation
Surprise ending of a story

24. Dramatic Irony
When the audience is aware of information that the characters are unaware of

25. Theme The central message or lesson of a story
Should be something the reader can apply to their own lives

26. Symbol/Symbolism
Using an object or repetitive theme to represent a larger idea
Example:
Wedding rings
Crows
Skull and crossbones

27. Point of view The perspective from which a story is told
Who’s voice is telling the story?
How do they feel about the story they’re telling?
What is their relationship to the events of the story?

28. First Person Point of View
Story told from the view of someone involved in the story’s events
Will use “I”, “Me”, “My”, “We” and “Us” to refer to their own involvement

29. Third Person Point of View
When a story is told from the view of someone who did not take an active role in the story
Two types of third person POV:
Limited – can only give perspective with thoughts and feelings of one character
Omniscient – an all-knowing, God-like perspective; can tell thoughts and feelings of all characters at any time past or present

30. Allusion
A reference to something famous or familiar from history, culture, literature, music, etc.
Can be a direct mention or an indirect reference to

31. Mood Vibe or feeling you get from the story
Can be determined by descriptions of the settings and characters or the author’s choice of words

32. Genre
Different types of literature

33. Simile
A comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as”
The winner of the race ran like the wind.
The accident happened as quick as lightening.

34. Metaphor
A comparison of two seemingly unlike things without the use of comparative words such as “like,” “as,” or “seem.”
Will refer to the object as if it actually IS the other in some way.
That test was a nightmare.
My brother is a thorn in my side.

35. Repetition Saying something over and over.
Could be a word, phrase, or visual image
Highlights or emphasizes important things
Aids in memory

36. Imagery
The use of descriptive phrases that appeal to different senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell)