1. Short Stories Terms & More! Fiction - Prose writing that tells about imaginary characters and events

2. PLOT -the sequence of events 1. Exposition - background information; introduces characters, setting, and basic story 2. Rising Action - introduction of conflict and increase of tension * Inciting Incident - event that propels main character into problem situation or conflict

3. PLOT - continued 3. Climax - high point of interest and suspense 4. Falling Action - events that occur as a result of climax 5. Resolution - loose ends are tied up

4. CONFLICT - a struggle between opposing forces Internal - conflict with self External - conflict with outside source a. person vs. person b. person vs. society c. person vs. nature

5. CHARACTER - people or animals that participate in the action 1. Round - many different traits (3D) 2. Flat - one basic trait (2D) 3. Dynamic - changes significantly 4. Static - remains the same 5. Protagonist - main character; readers generally hope she/he succeeds 6. Antagonist - character who opposes main character

6. CHARACTERIZATION - act of creating and developing a character 1. Direct - author directly states character’s traits. 2. Indirect - author shows character’s traits through actions, thoughts, observations, reactions, etc.

7. SETTING - time and place of the action 1. Time - past, present, future; specific year, season, or time of day 2. Location - Geographic, social, economic, or cultural environment

8. POINT OF VIEW - vantage point from which a story is told 1. First person - storyteller is a character and uses “I” 2. Third person - storyteller reports events and uses “he/she/they” a. Limited - only includes what can be seen from his/her perspective b. Omniscient - includes thoughts and feelings of all characters.

9. TONE - the writer’s attitude toward his/her audience and subject Often the TONE can be described with a single adjective: formal, informal, serious, playful, bitter To figure out TONE try to think about how the author feels. We do this a lot when we think of themes/ messages.

10. MOOD - the reader’s feeling during or after the work Often the MOOD is suggested by descriptive details: unnerving, scary, hopeful, pleasant, etc. To figure out the MOOD simply consider how the story made you feel.

11. SUSPENSE - a feeling of tension or nervous uncertainty Created by withholding key details to understanding the story AND foreshadowing what may happen later on in the story

12. SYMBOL - an object that represents an abstract idea River --> journey Crown --> Royalty Light --> good Dark --> evil Green --> jealousy

13. THEME - A message from the author to the reader about life; must be expressed as a sentence; should not refer to a specific novel. Examples: One should never take their lives from granted. Some people can never be trusted. Love comes in many different forms. All people deserve to be treated equally. Humans are inherently evil.