Short Story Literary terms

analogy

point-by-point comparison between two things that are alike in some respect. Often are used in nonfiction, when an unfamiliar subject or idea is explained in terms of a familiar one

antagonist

usually the principal character in opposition to the protagonist, or main character, of a narrative or drama. Sometimes the antagonist is not a character, but something else, like a force of nature, some aspect of society, or an internal force within the protagonist.

character

people who take part in the action of a story, a novel, or drama. Sometimes characters can be animals or imaginary creatures, such as beings from another planet. The most important characters are main characters. The other characters in a story are the minor characters, they interact with the main characters to help move the story along.

Characterization/ four methods

refers to the methods that a writer uses to develop characters there are four basic methods of characterization: physical appearance & speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of the character & speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of another character & the narrators comments about a character.

conflict (internal/external

the plot of a story always involves a conflict, or struggle, between opposing forces.

External : involves a character pitted against an outside force such as nature, a physical obstacle, or another character.

Internal: a conflict that occurs within a character

connotation

the attitudes or feelings associated with a word, can be positive or negative

denotation

the literal or dictionary meaning of a word

dialect

a form of language as it is spoken in a particular geographic area or by a particular social or ethnic group. A group’s dialect is reflected in pronunciations, vocabulary, expressions, and grammatical constructions. Writers use dialect to establish setting, province local color, and develop character.

dialogue

written conversations between two or more characters in either fiction or nonfiction. writers use dialogue to bring characters to life and to give readers insights into the characters’ qualities, personality traits, and reactions to other character. Realistic, well-paced dialogue also advances the plot of a narrative. The words each character speaks are commonly set off with quotation marks.

figurative language

a language that communicates ideas beyond the ordinary, literal meanings of words. Special types of figurative language called figures of speech include personification, hyperbole, simile, and metaphor.

flashback

A conversation, an episode, or an event that happened before the beginning of a story. often a flashback interrupts the chronological flow of a story to give the reader information to help in understanding a character’s present situation.

foreshadowing

a writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events and situations that will occur later in a plot. the use of this technique creates suspense while preparing the reader for what is to come.

hyperbole

a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or for humorous effect.

imagery

consists of descriptive words and phrases that re-create sensory experiences for the reader. imagery usually appeals to one or more of the five senses- sights, hearing, smell, taste, and touch- to help the reader imagine exactly what is being described.

irony (different types)

a contrast between appearance and reality- usually one in which realityy is the opposite from what it seems.

situational irony is the contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens

dramatic irony is where the reader of viewer knows something that a character does not know

verbal irony occurs when someone knowingly exaggerates or says one thing and means another

metaphor

a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two thing that are basically unlike but have something in common, metaphors do not use the words like or as.

mood

the feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates for the reader

narrator

the character or voice from whose point of view events are told

paradox

a statement that seems to contradict itself but is, nevertheless, true

personification

a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object, animal, or idea.

plot

the sequence of events in a story

point of view

the method of narrating a short story, novel, narrative poem, or work of nonfiction.

1st: the narrator is a character in the story

3rd omniscient: told by a narrator who is outside the action, not one of the characters in the story. This narrator is all-knowing and can see into the minds of more than one character.

3rd limited: told by a narrator who is outside the action, not one of the characters in the story. This narrator tells only what one character thinks, feels, and observes.

protagonist

the central character or hero in a narrative or drams, usually the one with whom the audience tends to identify.

setting

the time and place of action of a story which is described in detail and becomes a major contributor to the story’s total effect.

stereotype

simplified or stock characters who conform to a fixed patterned of are define by a single trait. These characters do not usually demonstrate the complexities of real people.

symbol/symbolism

a person, place, an activity, or an object that stands for something beyond itself.

theme

the main idea in a work of literature. it is a perception about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader. In most cases, the theme is not stated directly but must be inferred. A statement of theme may, but does not usually, tell one how to live and should not be confused with a moral.

tone

the attitude a writer take toward a subject. Tone reflects the feelings of the writer.

understatement

a technique of creating emphasis by saying less than is actually or literally true.

Dynamic characters

Characters who change or grow throughout the story.

Static characters

Characters who stay the same from beginning to end.

Round Characters

Well-developed characters with complex traits and emotions.

Flat characters

Simple characters with one or two traits; not deeply developed.