Literary Elements, Devices, and Short Story Analysis

Vocabulary flashcards covering figurative language, literary devices, characterization, narrative perspective, plot structure, types of conflict, irony, and narrative elements.

Figurative Language

Language that makes comparisons that are meant to be taken imaginatively rather than literally.

Simile

A comparison of two unlike things, including the words "like" or "as".

Metaphor

A comparison of two dissimilar things such that one becomes another.

Personification

Giving human qualities to animals, plants, inanimate objects, natural forces, or things that are not human.

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration.

Zoomorphism

Assigning animal qualities or characteristics to humans.

Allusion

A reference to someone or something famous.

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

Symbol

An object that represents an idea.

Pun

A play on words.

Euphemism

An indirect way of expressing something that may be more polite or less harsh than reality.

Oxymoron

A combination of 2 contradictory terms for the sake of emphasis.

Double Entendre

A word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually indecent or inappropriate.

Short Story

A narrative of fewer than 50 pages that can be read in one sitting and features few characters.

Protagonist

The main character in a story.

Antagonist

A character in opposition to the main character who goes against the main character.

Direct Characterization

Characterization where the character's traits are directly stated.

Indirect Characterization

Characterization where a character's traits are revealed through his or her thoughts, feelings, and dialogue.

Flat Character

A one-dimensional character.

Round Character

A multi-dimensional character with many traits revealed.

Static Character

A character who stays the same throughout the story.

Dynamic Character

A character who changes during the story.

Flashback

A scene in a story set in an earlier time from the main story.

Retrospective

Looking back on past events.

Setting

The time and place of a story.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told (1st or 3rd).

First Person Point of View

Point of view where the narrator is a character in the story and uses "I" or "we".

Second Person Point of View

Point of view using "you" (rarely used).

Third Person Objective

Narrator tells the story using "he", "she", "it", or "they" but adds no comment about characters (emotionally removed).

Third Person Omniscient

All-knowing narrator who weaves in and out of all the characters' thoughts and feelings.

Third Person Limited

Narrator reveals only one character's thoughts and feelings.

Exposition

The presentation of background information in a plot.

Rising Action

The events in a plot that lead to the climax.

Climax

The pivotal point and turning point that changes the course of the story, marking the highest emotional intensity.

Falling Action

The events in a plot that lead to the resolution.

Denouement / Resolution

The part of the plot where the conflict or problem is solved.

Person v. Society

Conflict where a character is in opposition to the rules, laws, or customs of society.

Person v. Self

Conflict where a character is in conflict with him/herself regarding values, decisions, or self-esteem.

Person v. Person

Conflict where a character is in conflict with another character.

Person v. Nature

Conflict where a character is in conflict with the natural world, such as land, weather, or climate.

Person v. Supernatural

Conflict where a character is in conflict with otherworldly forces.

Person v. Technology

Conflict where a character is in some way in conflict with technology.

Situational Irony

The opposite happening of what is expected.

Verbal Irony

When what is said is different from what is meant (sarcasm).

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something that the characters do not.

Theme

The main idea of a story; a statement about life that the author is trying to make.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere (such as hopeful, despairing, eerie, or encouraging) of a narrative; how the reader feels after reading the story.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject (such as sympathetic, cynical, or critical).

Imagery

The representation in language of sense experience: what can be seen, heard, or touched.