SHORT STORIES BASIC
This term describes any story that is made up and not based on real events.
Fictional
This term refers to the struggle or problem that drives the plot of a story, which can be between characters or within a character's mind.
Conflict
This is the final part of the plot diagram, where the story’s conflicts are resolved, and the story concludes.
Resolution
What point of view is used?
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the tranquil village. Children laughed as they chased fireflies, their joyous voices blending with the evening breeze. In the cozy cottage at the edge of town, an older man sat by the window, his gaze drifting to the peaceful scene outside. The rhythmic chirping of crickets and the soft rustle of leaves created a serene symphony, wrapping the village in a comforting twilight embrace.
Third Person Point of View
What are the three types of irony?
Verbal, Situational, and Dramatic Irony
This method of characterization involves the author explicitly describing a character’s traits and qualities to the reader.
Direct Characterization
A story written in paragraphs, as opposed to being written in verse or poetry, is known as this type of writing.
Prose
What type of conflict is this?
The chessboard crackled with tension as Alex and Manuel faced off in the final game of the tournament. Each move was calculated, every glance sharp with intensity. Alex's knight hovered menacingly, threatening Manuel’s queen, while Manuel’s eyes darted, searching for a counterattack. The room fell silent, punctuated only by the clinking of chess pieces. With a sudden, decisive move, Alex’s rook slashed through Manuel's defenses, capturing the queen and sealing victory in a moment of strategic brilliance.
Person vs. Person
This stage of the plot involves the series of events that build tension and develop the story’s conflict.
Rising Action
What point of view is used?
You step into the bustling city street, the hum of traffic and chatter enveloping you. Neon lights flicker above, casting a vibrant glow on the sidewalks. As you weave through the crowd, you feel the pulse of urban life around you. The aroma of street food tempts your senses, while the city’s rhythm quickens your heartbeat. Each step takes you deeper into the maze of possibility, where every corner holds a new adventure waiting to unfold.
Second Person Point of View
This is the central idea or underlying message that an author explores through the events and characters in a story.
Theme
Which element is at the peak of the plot diagram?
Climax
This story element refers to the time and place where the events occur.
Setting
What type of conflict is this?
Thrashing waves pounded against Jake as he swam desperately toward the shore, the shadow of the shark looming ever closer beneath him. Saltwater stung his eyes, making it hard to see through the churning sea. Every stroke felt like a battle against the unforgiving ocean. The shark’s dorsal fin cut through the water, a menacing reminder of the danger. Gasping for air, Jake pushed through the turbulent surf, his adrenaline-fueled determination overcoming the relentless power of the sea.
Person vs. Environment
This part of the plot diagram introduces the characters, setting, and initial situation of the story.
Exposition
What point of view is used?
I strolled through the park, the crisp autumn air filling my lungs with each breath. Leaves crunched under my feet, creating a soothing rhythm that matched my relaxed pace. I glanced up at the trees, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, and felt a wave of contentment wash over me. As I sat on a nearby bench, I watched children playing and couples strolling by, savoring the simple, peaceful moment of solitude amidst the bustling world.
First Person Point of View
This literary device hints at events that will happen later in the story, building anticipation and suspense.
Foreshadowing
This term refers to the author's attitude or emotional stance toward the subject matter or audience, conveyed through their writing style.
Tone
These are the people or animals who take part in the action of the story.
Characters
What type of conflict is this?
As the stage lights glared through the curtain, Arianna’s heart pounded against her ribcage, her reflection in the mirror a stark reminder of her mounting anxiety. Her hands trembled, clutching her script, while self-doubt gnawed at her confidence. She could hear the muffled applause from the audience, a daunting prelude to her moment of truth. With a deep, shaky breath, she forced a calm expression, battling her inner fears to step out and give the performance of her life.
Person vs. Self
This part of the plot diagram involves the events that lead towards the resolution and begin to resolve the conflict.
Falling Action
What point of view is used?
From his vantage point atop the hill sat the bustling village below, a microcosm of activity and emotion. Emma, in her small bakery, meticulously decorated cakes with a focus that masked her growing sense of doubt. In the town square, Henry’s laughter with friends contrasted sharply with his internal worries about an upcoming decision. These unseen connections were all about to shift, guiding their lives toward utter destruction.
Third Person Omniscient Point of View
When an object, person, or event represents a deeper meaning beyond its literal sense in a story, it is called this.
Symbolism
What type of irony is this?
As Lisa trudged through the pouring rain, her clothes plastered against her skin, she looked up at the dark clouds and exclaimed, “Oh, what a beautiful day!” The storm had turned the streets into rivers, and the wind howled through the trees, but her cheerful comment masked her frustration. Her friends, huddled under their umbrellas, exchanged glances, well aware that Lisa’s words were dripping with sarcasm, not genuine delight.
Verbal Irony
This is the central idea or underlying message that the author wants to convey through the story.
Theme
What type of conflict is this?
Indu stood at the podium, her hands gripping the speech she had painstakingly prepared. The room was filled with stern faces and skeptical murmurs—members of the town council who had long resisted change. Her proposal for a new community park was met with hostility, their entrenched views a formidable barrier. With unwavering resolve, Indu challenged their traditional mindset, fighting against norms to advocate for a greener, more inclusive future. Her voice, though trembling, rang with defiant hope.
Person vs. Society
This is the moment of greatest emotional intensity or the turning point in a story.
Climax
What point of view is used?
Kiana’s stood in line for the roller coaster, the vibrant colors of the amusement park lights flashing around her. She gripped the safety bar tightly, her palms sweating despite the cool evening breeze. Her eyes darted to the towering ride ahead.
Third Person Limited Point of View
This type of irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating tension or humor.
Dramatic Irony
What literary term is being demonstrated here?
In the heart of the dense forest stood an ancient oak tree, its gnarled branches stretching toward the sky like the arms of a weary giant. Emma wandered through the underbrush, her fingers brushing against the rough, weathered bark, feeling the familiar grooves that echoed her own struggles. She closed her eyes, remembering the storms she had weathered—the heartbreaks and challenges that had left their marks, just as the tree bore the scars of countless seasons.
Symbolism