Short Story Terms I
the introduction of the story, where the main characters or other elements are introduced
What is exposition?
an event that is the opposite of what is expected to happen
What is irony?
conversation spoken by characters in a story, play, or other literary work
What is dialogue?
events that lead to the problem/conflict being solved
What is falling action?
hints given in the story about what will happen later
What is foreshadowing?
events leading to the main event/climax of the story
What is rising action?
an event from the past that is shown in a story
What is a flashback?
an exaggeration used to emphasize something (ex. I have told you a million times to spit out that gum.)
What is a hyperbole?
a struggle between a character and an outside force (ex. man vs. character, man vs. nature, and man vs. society)
What is external conflict?
when an object or word has a deeper meaning and represents something else
What is symbolism?
a struggle that takes place in a character's mind (ex. man vs. self)
What is internal conflict?
a character in the story is the narrator and is telling the story; uses I, me, we
What is first person point of view?
repeating the same beginning consonant sounds (ex. Sill Sam swam sideways.)
What is alliteration?
the character or a force in conflict with the main character, usually the villain
What is antagonist?
focuses only on ONE character's actions, emotions, and thoughts; uses character's names, he, she, it, they, him, her
What is third person limited point of view?
the main character in a story or play, usually the hero of the story
What is protagonist?
knows the actions, emotions, and thoughts of every character - the narrator knows EVERYTHING; uses character's names, he, she, it, they, him, her
What is third person omniscient point of view?
an expression that has a different meaning from the literal meaning (ex. You need to hit the books and study!)
What is an idiom?
events that bring the story to a close (also known as denouement)
What is resolution?
focuses on every character's actions but NOT the emotions and thoughts - the narrator sees and hears everything; uses character's names, he, she, it, they, him, her
What is third person objective point of view?
the underlying message (life lesson) of a story, poem, or play
What is theme?
a comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as" (ex. Her new hairdo looked like a mop.)
What is a simile?
when the character changes the most; usually the most exciting part of the story
What is the climax?