Words of the Day and Forms of Fiction - Short Stories

A set of Q&A flashcards covering vocabulary, fiction forms, and elements of short stories from the notes.

What does quintessENTIAL mean?

adj. representing the most perfect example.

What does ambivalent mean?

adj. having mixed feelings about something.

What does serendipity mean?

n. occurrence of something good or beneficial by chance.

What does epiphany mean?

n. a sudden realization or insight; moment of clarity.

What is fiction?

N narratives that are imagined or invented; uses creativity and artistic expression to convey a story.

Why is fiction important?

It entertains and captures the imagination, reflects human experiences, emotions, and values, and offers lessons or insights about life.

What is a novel?

A long and complex narrative.

What is a novella?

Shorter than a novel but longer than a short story.

What is a fable?

A story with animals as characters that teaches a moral or lesson.

What is a parable?

A story illustrating a moral or spiritual lesson.

What is a short story?

A brief narrative that centers on a single incident and aims to leave a strong impression or insight.

What is conciseness?

Short and to the point.

What is unity of effect?

Everything contributes to one overall effect.

What is flash fiction?

Extremely short stories that still have the basic elements of fiction.

What is a six-word story?

A microform of flash fiction told in six words (example: For sale: baby shoes, never worn.).

What is a drabble?

A complete story written in exactly 100 words.

What is a dribble / minisaga?

A complete story written 50 words with a title of 15 characters or fewer.

Name two short stories listed in the notes.

The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant; The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe.

Name another two short stories listed in the notes.

Dead Stars by Paz Márquez Benítez; The Wedding Dance by Amador Daguio.

What are the main elements of short stories?

Plot, Setting, Theme, Tone/Mood, Symbolism, Conflict, Point of View, Characters.

What is Freytag's Pyramid in plot structure?

Plot components: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution (with a noted climax).

What are some plot techniques?

Foreshadowing; Flashback; Flashforward (Prolepsis); In medias res; Twist ending; Cliffhanger.

What isForeshadowing?

Hints or clues about events that will happen later.

What is a Flashback?

Interrupts the present timeline to show a past event.

What is a Flashforward (Prolepsis)?

Jumps forward in time to the future.

What is In Medias Res?

Starting in the middle of the action.

What is a Twist Ending?

An unexpected turn of events at the conclusion.

What is a Cliffhanger?

Ending a scene or story with unresolved tension.

What is setting?

Time and place where the story happens; time, place, and atmosphere described.

What is theme?

The central idea, message, or insight about life; often stated as a statement.

What is the difference between tone and mood?

Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject; mood is the emotional atmosphere felt by the reader.

What is symbolism?

The use of symbols (objects, colors, events) to represent deeper meanings (e.g., dove = peace; darkness = fear or death).

What is conflict in a story?

The struggle between opposing forces that drives the plot and creates tension.

What is internal conflict?

Man vs. self.

What is external conflict?

Man vs. man; man vs. society; man vs. nature; man vs. supernatural/fate.

What is point of view?

The perspective from which the story is told; controls perspective and shapes emotional connection.

What is First Person POV?

The narrator is a character in the story and uses I, me, my, we.

What is Second Person POV?

Uses you; makes the reader feel as if they are the character.

What is Third Person POV?

Narrator outside the story; uses he, she, it, or they.

What is Third Person Omniscient?

The narrator knows all thoughts, feelings, and events.

What is Third Person Limited?

The narrator focuses on one character's thoughts and feelings.

What are characters?

Beings or entities in a story that carry out the events of the plot.

What is a protagonist?

The main character.

What is an antagonist?

The character or force opposing the protagonist.

What are supporting characters?

Secondary figures who help develop the plot.

What is a dynamic character?

Undergoes change or growth.

What is a static character?

Remains the same throughout the story.

What is characterization?

The techniques writers use to develop and reveal characters.

What is a flat character?

Simple, one-dimensional, often stereotypical.

What is a round character?

Complex, realistic, multi-dimensional.