Final Exam: Short Story Unit Vocabulary (24-25)

Plot

the sequence of events that make up a story

Exposition

the part of a story when the main characters, setting, and primary conflict are introduced. It is a kind of writing that provides information and sets the stage for the action.

Inciting Incident

the event that sets the primary conflict in motion

Rising Action

the events in a story that lead to the climax. These events usually involve an increase in tension as the primary conflict develops

Climax

the turning point or decisive moment of a story

Falling Action

the events of the story that follow the climax and lead to the resolution.

Resolution

the point in the story when the primary conflict is resolved. It is the outcome/result of a situation or sequence of events. It occurs near the end of the plot.

Setting

refers to the time and place of the action in the story.

Characterization

the art of creating and describing characters in a literary work. Characters may be presented by means of description, through their actions, speech, or thoughts.

Protagonist

the main character in a literary work

Antagonist

a character who opposes or creates an obstacle for the protagonist

Dynamic Character

a character who undergoes an important internal change (personality, perspective, understanding, or attitude) as a result of the action in a story's plot.

Static Character

a character who does not experience an internal change (personality, perspective, understanding, or attitude) as a result of the action in a story's plot.

Round Character

a well-developed, life-like character with realistic emotions, depth, and multiple character traits

Flat Character

a character who is relatively uncomplicated and does not display emotional depth or many character traits; these character traits do not change

1st Person POV

a type of point of view in which the narrator speaks as "I" and is a major or minor character involved in the story; readers see the world of the story through this character's perspective

2nd Person POV

A type of point of view in which the narrator speaks to the readers using "you," and the readers feel as if they are involved in the story

3rd Person Objective POV

a type of 3rd person point of view in which the narrator can describe speech and actions of other characters, but never refers to their thoughts

3rd Person Limited POV

a type of 3rd person point of view in which the narrator can describe the experiences, thoughts, and feelings of a single character. All other characters are described externally (speech and actions).

3rd Person Omniscient POV

a type of 3rd person point of view in which the narrator knows everything about all of the characters and events in the story and can access the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.

Mood

the overall feeling or atmosphere that pervades a literary work; the feeling a reader has while reading a text.

Symbol

something in a text that represents or means something beyond what it is on a literal level.

Situational Irony

refers to a situation in which the intended or expected results differ sharply from the actual results.

Dramatic Irony

refers to a situation in a story in which the readers know more about present or future circumstances than a character knows.

Verbal Irony

occurs when a speaker makes a statement in which the actual meaning differs considerably from what the words mean literally.

Theme

a central topic, subject, or idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work

Theme Statement

a complete sentence which clearly expresses a message, life lesson, or main point related to a theme found in a literary work