Short Story: Literary Elements

flat character

A character who is not very well developed; has few identifiable characteristics; does not change throughout the story; might be based on stereotypes

round character

A character who is complex, multi-dimension, and often changes throughout a story

protagonist

the main character in a story; the character whose motivations and desires drives forward the story's plot (ex. Shrek)

antagonist

the character or force in conflict with the main character (ex. Lord Farquaad in Shrek)

foil character

a character whose qualities serve to highlight the qualities of the protagonist through contrast (ex. Donkey to Shrek)

setting

where and when the story takes place

point of view

the perspective from which a story is told; includes first, second and third person

first person

a character in the story is actually telling the story using words like I, me and my

second person

the narrator addresses the reader directly using the pronoun "you"

third person limited

the narrator is outside the world of the story, but only knows the thoughts/feelings of one character

symbolism

when an image, object or idea represents something larger than itself

Direct characterization

Author explicitly describes character; ex. "She was shy."

Indirect characterization

Author subtly reveals the character through actions and interactions; ex. Instead of writing "She was shy," the author might write, "She stood in the corner of the crowded room and blushed when people approached her to chat."

narrative arc

the shape that a story takes as it moves from its beginning to its end

exposition

the beginning of the narrative arc; author provides background information

rising action

Events leading up to the climax

climax

the top of the narrative arc; peak tension

falling action

Events after the climax, leading to the resolution; decreasing tension

resolution

End of the story where loose ends are tied up

stock character

a character or group based on stereotypes; their main function in the story is to populate the background

third person omniscient

the narrator is outside the world of the story and knows the thoughts/feelings of all characters