Short Story Basics
This term refers to a fictional work of prose that is shorter than a novel.
What is a short story?
The leading character or hero in a story.
Who is the protagonist?
The highest point of tension in a story.
What is the climax?
A struggle between a character and themselves is known as this type of conflict.
What is internal conflict?
A comparison using "like" or "as."
What is a simile?
This is the time and place in which a story takes place.
What is setting?
A character that does not change throughout the course of the story.
What is a static character?
This part of the plot involves a series of incidents building toward the climax.
What is rising action?
A struggle between a character and an external force, such as nature or society.
What is external conflict?
When an author gives a hint of what’s to come in the story.
What is foreshadowing?
The central message or insight into life revealed by a story.
What is the theme?
A character that experiences significant change or growth.
What is a dynamic character?
The final part of the plot, where the conflict is resolved.
What is the resolution?
A conflict between two characters is known as this.
What is character vs. character?
Giving human characteristics to non-human objects.
What is personification?
The sequence of events that make up a story is called this.
What is the plot?
This type of characterization directly tells the reader about the character's traits.
What is direct characterization?
The point where the conflict starts to resolve.
What is the falling action?
This type of conflict occurs when a character struggles against nature.
What is character vs. nature?
A contradiction between what is expected and what actually occurs.
What is irony?
This type of narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters.
What is omniscient point of view?
This type of characterization reveals a character’s traits through their actions or other characters’ responses.
What is indirect characterization?
The part of the plot where background information is introduced.
What is the exposition?
A conflict where a character opposes the beliefs or practices of a group or society.
What is character vs. society?
A reference to a well-known person, place, or event in literature or history.
What is an allusion?