2. Welcome to our Short Story Unit

3. Author The writer of a literary work or document (novel, short story, poem, etc.)

4. Character A person or animal in a story, play, or other literary work.

5. Characterization How an author reveals a character’s personality. How an author reveals a character’s personality. As readers we, whether we actually realize it or not, build our own perceptions of the characters. As readers we, whether we actually realize it or not, build our own perceptions of the characters.

6. Direct Characterization Direct characterization Direct characterization the author directly tells you what the character is like: the author directly tells you what the character is like: “As we supported him up the steps, the door banged open and Cheryl came bursting out of the house. She was all smiles and was so obviously glad to see Grandpa that I was ashamed of how I felt” (Sneve 123). “As we supported him up the steps, the door banged open and Cheryl came bursting out of the house. She was all smiles and was so obviously glad to see Grandpa that I was ashamed of how I felt” (Sneve 123).

7. Indirect Characterization The author reveals the character’s personality through: The author reveals the character’s personality through: #1: What the character says #1: What the character says #2: What the character does #2: What the character does Bobby picks on his brother whenever his parents aren’t looking.

8. More Indirect Characterization #3: What the character feels or thinks #3: What the character feels or thinks Bob scowled as he thought to himself “I’d like to kick this machine across the room.”

9. Last but not least…. #4: How other characters feel or what other characters say about the character #4: How other characters feel or what other characters say about the character #5: What the character looks like (physical appearance and clothing) #5: What the character looks like (physical appearance and clothing)

10. Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot. Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

11. Internal Conflict Character vs. Self (guilt, apprehension, anxiety, self-doubt, fear of failure) Internal Conflict

12. Types of External Conflict Character vs. Nature Character vs. Society Character vs. Character Character vs. Fate/Destiny Character vs. Supernatural

13. Foreshadowing The use of clues or hints to suggest events that will occur later in the plot

14. Mood/Atmosphere Overall feeling of a piece of literature. Overall feeling of a piece of literature. Can be described with one or two adjectives (scary, happy, sad) Can be described with one or two adjectives (scary, happy, sad) Authors often use word choice, style, and imagery to convey a certain feeling for the reader Authors often use word choice, style, and imagery to convey a certain feeling for the reader

15. Setting The time and place of a story. The time and place of a story. Most often, the setting is described in the exposition (beginning) of a story. Most often, the setting is described in the exposition (beginning) of a story. Setting often plays an emotional role. Setting often plays an emotional role. Contributes to the plot – especially in character vs. nature conflict. Contributes to the plot – especially in character vs. nature conflict.

16. Point of View The vantage point from which a story is told (who is telling the story) The vantage point from which a story is told (who is telling the story) The three most common points of view are The three most common points of view are Omniscient Omniscient Third-person limited Third-person limited First Person First Person

17. Omniscient The all-knowing point-of- view The all-knowing point-of- view Narrator knows everything about all the characters and their thoughts, feelings, and motivations Narrator knows everything about all the characters and their thoughts, feelings, and motivations The omniscient narrator stands apart rather like a god The omniscient narrator stands apart rather like a god This narrator is not actually part of the story or the action This narrator is not actually part of the story or the action

18. Third-Person Limited Narrator focuses on thoughts and feelings of only one character Narrator focuses on thoughts and feelings of only one character We see the story through this character’s eyes only We see the story through this character’s eyes only The narrator has very limited information about any other character other than the ONE they are focusing on The narrator has very limited information about any other character other than the ONE they are focusing on

19. First Person One of the characters, using the pronoun “I” One of the characters, using the pronoun “I” We only know what this person knows We only know what this person knows Information may not be reliable Information may not be reliable

20. Protagonist/Antagonist Protagonist: The “good guy”/ usually the main character of the story and the person we are generally rooting for Antagonist: The “bad guy”/ the character or force working against the protagonist

21. Short Story A short fictional narrative A short fictional narrative Generally only have a few characters and usually only one setting Generally only have a few characters and usually only one setting Usually only one central conflict Usually only one central conflict

22. Suspense The uncertainty or anxiety that a reader feels about what will happen next in a story. The uncertainty or anxiety that a reader feels about what will happen next in a story. Suspense is created by mood, as well as the following techniques: Suspense is created by mood, as well as the following techniques: Foreshadowing – hints of what’s to come Foreshadowing – hints of what’s to come Mystery – withholding information from the reader; unusual or bizarre circumstances Mystery – withholding information from the reader; unusual or bizarre circumstances Reversal – good to bad or bad to good Reversal – good to bad or bad to good Dilemma – forced to choose between two dangerous situations Dilemma – forced to choose between two dangerous situations

23. Symbol (ism) A person, place, thing, or event that has a deeper meaning and represents something beyond its literal meaning

24. Theme The general idea or insight about life that a work of literature reveals. The general idea or insight about life that a work of literature reveals. An idea or message the author wishes to convey about the subject. An idea or message the author wishes to convey about the subject. Most often themes are not stated directly. Most often themes are not stated directly. The reader has to think about all the elements of the work. The reader has to think about all the elements of the work. Don’t mess with fate.

25. Tone The attitude a writer takes toward his or her subject, characters, and/or audience Tone is conveyed through the author’s word choice Tone is often times dependent upon the author’s purpose and message Types of tone: sarcastic, friendly, supportive, pleading, bitter/angry, humorous, serious, solemn

26. Plot is the literary element that describes the structure (a chain of events/the skeleton) of a story. It shows the cause-effect relationship of events and actions within a story. Plot

27. Plot Components Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts; setting, characters, conflict introduced Rising Action: the series of events (complications) about the conflict in the story that lead to the climax Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action; reveals how conflict will turn out Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads