Short Story Terms

Frame Story

Leads readers from a first story into another, smaller one (or several ones) within it.

Theme

The central or universal idea of a piece of fiction; a perception about life and the human condition.

Symbols

Characters, settings, images, or motifs that represent bigger ideas.

Motif

A recurring symbol that has significance within a story.

Setting

The time and place in which a story occurs, including physical, psychological, cultural, or historical backgrounds.

Tone

The author’s attitude toward the subject of the story.

Mood

The emotions evoked in readers or the feelings created by the author.

Flashback

A literary device presenting material that occurred prior to the opening scene.

Foreshadowing

The presentation of material in a way that prepares the reader for later events.

Verbal Irony

When words literally state the opposite of the writer's true meaning.

Situational Irony

Events that turn out the opposite of what was expected.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something that a character does not.

Satire

A literary work that attacks human vice or folly through irony, mockery, or wit.

Allusion

A reference within a literary work to another work of literature, art, or real event.

Narrator

The teller of a story.

Reliable Narrator

A narrator whose statements of fact and judgment can be accepted without serious question.

Unreliable Narrator

A narrator whose statements are questioned by the reader.

Point of View

Refers to who is telling or narrating a story.

First Person Point of View

The main character tells the story using 'I'.

Second Person Point of View

The narrator speaks directly to the reader using 'you'.

Third Person Point of View

An external narrator tells the story using 'he', 'she', or 'they'.

Characterization

The description of a character’s physical traits, personality, thoughts, and actions.

Indirect Characterization

Describes a character through their thoughts, actions, speech, and dialogue.

Direct Characterization

Describes the character through physical descriptions or pursuits.

Dynamic Character

A character who changes during the course of a story.

Static Character

A character who remains primarily the same throughout the story.

Round Character

A well-developed character with varied and sometimes contradictory traits.

Flat Character

A two-dimensional character who does not change throughout the story.

Stock Character

A recognizable (stereotypical) flat character.

Protagonist

The main character in a story.

Antagonist

A character in opposition to the protagonist.

Secondary Characters

Characters who support the plot, including sidekicks or wise counsel.

Character Foil

A secondary character contrasting with the protagonist to highlight aspects of the main character.

Conflict

The opposition of persons or forces central to the plot of a story.

Character versus Character

A conflict between one character and another.

Character versus Nature

A conflict between a character and a force of nature.

Character versus Society

A conflict between a character and societal values or customs.

Character versus Self

An internal psychological conflict within a character.

Exposition

Background information about the protagonist in their normal life.

Inciting Incident

An event that creates a problem for the protagonist.

Rising Action

The sequence of events that develop as a result of the conflict.

Climax

The most exciting part of the story; the turning point.

Falling Action

The events that happen after the climax.

Denouement

The resolution or tying up of loose ends in a story.