Unit 1: Short Fiction I

Chronological plot structure

A storytelling technique where events are presented in the order they occur in time.

First person point of view

A narrative perspective where the story is told from the perspective of “I” or “we”.

Omniscient point of view

Known as the “God like” perspective, it’s a narrative technique, where the narrator has complete knowledge and awareness of all characters thoughts, feelings, actions, and motivations.

Reading Text

Interpreting the words, exactly as they are written, without adding any additional meaning or interpretation.

Literary analysis

The practice of examining a literary work, such as a novel, poem, or play, and breaking it down into various components to better understand how they contribute to the whole.

Reading text figuratively

Involves looking beyond the literal meaning of words and trying to understand what else might be implied by them.

Episodic plot structure

A literary technique that involves dividing a story into smaller sections or episodes, each with its own mini plot.

Cultural Refrences

Play a role in identifying setting.

Social norms and customs

Play an important role in identifying a setting.

Textual Evidence

Information from a written work that supports or proves a point being made.

Subplot

A secondary plot that runs parallel to the main plot in a story.

Adventure

Refers to an exciting or unusual experience that involves taking risks and exploring the unknown.

Tragedy

Involves the main character facing a series of conflicts and obstacles that challenge their beliefs and values.

Romance

A complex human emotion that involves intense feelings of affection and attraction towards other people.

Linear plot structure

A type of storytelling in which events unfold in chronological order, with a beginning, middle, and end.

Cyclical plot structure

A narrative technique in which the story ends where it begins, creating a sense of circularity or repetition.

Fantasy

Dramatic situations can be a powerful tool for creating tension and suspension in storytelling.

Good physical description

An important part of world building in fiction writing and can also be used effectively in non-fiction writing such as travelogues or memoirs to bring places to life for readers who have not experienced them firsthand.

Mysteries

A classic element of dramatic situations, as they provide suspense and intrigue that keep the audience engaged.

Perspective

An individual’s interpretation of their own experiences and how they view the world.

Technology

Refers to the tools or machines that are used to accomplish tasks.

Demographic

refers to the characteristics of the population in a particular area.

Dialogue

What a character says, can also provide clues to their personality traits, such as their values, beliefs, intelligent level, and emotional state.

Second person point of view

Writing perspective in which the narrator addresses the reader directly as “you.”

Speaker

The Voice that communicates with the reader or audience.

Social Norms

Customs play an important role in identifying a setting.

Narrator

A person or character who tells the story, either in writing or verbally.

Non-chronological plot structure

Refers to a storytelling technique, where events are presented out of sequence, often through the use of flashbacks or other narrative devices.

Third person point of view

A narrative perspective in which the story is told by an external narrator who refers to characters and events using third person pronouns, such as “he,“ “she,“ or “they.“

Physical appearance

The description of the characters physical appearance can give us insights into their personality, background, and social status.

Technology and transportation

Can provide important clues about the time period and location which a story is set.

Textual evidence

An important part of forming arguments and academic writing and helps build credibility by showing that your ideas are based on factual information from reliable sources.

Actions/motivations

Actions taken by the character often help readers understand what drives them to act certain ways.

Comedy

The use of humor to lighten the mood or provide relief during an intense or serious moment.

Claim

Typically refers to the central argument or thesis statement that a writer makes about a particular piece of literature.