Short Story Terminology

9th Honors Lit/Comp

Frame Story

A narrative structure that leads readers from a main story into one or more smaller stories within it.

Theme

The central or universal idea of a piece of fiction, reflecting perceptions about life and the human condition.

Symbols

Characters, settings, images, or motifs that represent larger ideas, adding depth and meaning to a story.

Motif

A recurring symbol that holds significance within a story.

Setting

The time and place where a story occurs, including physical, psychological, cultural, or historical elements.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject matter of the story.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere created for readers, evoking specific feelings.

Flashback

A literary device that presents material from before the opening scene.

Foreshadowing

The technique of presenting material in a way that prepares readers for future events.

Verbal Irony

A figure of speech where the literal words state the opposite of the writer's true meaning, often used as sarcasm.

Situational Irony

A scenario where events turn out contrary to what was expected.

Dramatic Irony

A situation where the audience knows something that a character does not.

Satire

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

Allusion

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

Narrator

The individual who tells the story.

Reliable narrator

A narrator whose statements are accepted by the reader without serious doubt.

Unreliable narrator

A narrator whose statements are questioned or qualified by the reader.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is narrated, which can be first, second, or third person.

First person

A narrative perspective where the main character tells the story using "I" or "we."

Second person

A narrative perspective where the narrator addresses the reader directly using "you."

Third person

A narrative perspective where an external narrator tells the story using "he," "she," "it," or "they."

Characterization

The process of describing a character's physical traits, thoughts, personality, and actions.

Indirect Characterization

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

Direct Characterization

Describing a character through physical description, occupation, or passions.

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes significant change throughout the story.

Static Character

A character who remains largely unchanged during the story.

Round Character

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

Flat Character

A simplistic character who does not change throughout the story.

Stock Character

A recognizable, stereotypical flat character.

Protagonist

The main character around whom the story revolves.

Antagonist

A character who opposes the protagonist.

Secondary Characters

Characters who support the plot, such as sidekicks or wise counselors.

Character Foil

A secondary character that contrasts with the protagonist to highlight aspects of the main character's personality.

Conflict

The opposition of persons or forces that drives the plot of a story.

Character versus Character

A conflict between two characters.

Character versus Nature

A conflict between a character and a natural force.

Character versus Society

A conflict between a character and societal values or customs.

Character versus Self

An internal conflict within a character.

Exposition

Background information about the protagonist's normal life.

Inciting Incident

An event that creates a problem for the protagonist.

Rising Action

The sequence of events that escalate the conflict.

Climax

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

Falling Action

Events that occur after the climax.

Denouement

The resolution where loose ends are tied up and changes are revealed.