short story

Short Story

A fictional work of prose that is shorter in length than a novel.

Setting

The time, place, and social context of a story, which provides historical and cultural context for characters.

Theme

The central or dominant idea of the story, reinforced by interactions of various fictional devices.

Plot

A series of interrelated incidents arranged by the author to create the complication or problem.

Denouement

A French term meaning 'unknotting' or 'untying', revealing the final resolution.

Character

Any person in the story manifesting moral, emotional, and intellectual qualities endowed by the author.

Direct Presentation

Method where the author describes what a character looks like.

Indirect Presentation

Method where the character is revealed through their actions, thoughts, and dialogue.

Point of View

The angle of vision from which the reader follows the development of the story.

Omniscient Point of View

A narrative perspective where many or all characters' thoughts and feelings are revealed.

Objective Point of View

A narrative style recording actions and speech without revealing thoughts and feelings.

Limited Omniscient Point of View

A narrative style where the story follows the consciousness of a particular character.

First Person Point of View

A narrative style using 'I', where the narrator is a character in the story.

External Conflict

A struggle between the main characters and an external force such as another person or society.

Internal Conflict

Opposing forces contesting within the focal character's being.

Style

The way writers express themselves, encompassing diction, syntax, voice, and rhythm.

Symbolism

The use of concrete things to represent abstract ideas.

Irony

A contrast where one element mocks another; it can be verbal, situational, or dramatic.

Verbal Irony

When the speaker says something but means the opposite.

Situational Irony

When an event is expected to occur but the opposite happens.

Dramatic Irony

The discrepancy between what characters know and what readers know.

Imagery

A concrete representation appealing to the senses, conveying sensations, feelings, or ideas.

Tactile Imagery

Imagery that appeals to the sense of touch.

Aural Imagery

Imagery that appeals to the sense of hearing.

Olfactory Imagery

Imagery that appeals to the sense of smell.

Visual Imagery

Imagery that appeals to the sense of sight.

Gustatory Imagery

Imagery that appeals to the sense of taste.