Literary Terms - The Short Story

Allusion

A passing reference to something commonly known; allusions are usually brief and concise.

Character

Who the 'actors' are in a literary work.

Characterization

The techniques a writer uses to create, reveal, or develop the characters in a narrative.

Direct characterization

Communicated directly by the author, almost always through what a narrator or trustworthy character tells us.

Indirect characterization

The reader's understanding of a character based on what a character does, says, is thinking, or what another character says about him or her.

Connotation

An association or additional meaning of a word, image, or phrase.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Diction

Word choice or vocabulary; refers to the class of words that an author decides is appropriate to use in a particular work.

Abstract diction

Contains words that express more general ideas or concepts.

Concrete diction

Involves a highly specific word choice in naming of something or someone.

Figurative language

Occurs anytime you stretch the actual meaning of words for effect.

Imagery

Representation of sense experience through language.

Motif

An element that recurs significantly throughout a narrative.

Plot

Action; the series of events that give a story meaning.

Exposition

The introduction part of the plot providing background information about the characters or events.

Rising Action

All the events that build up to the climax.

Climax

The turning point of the narrative.

Falling Action

What occurs right after the climax; the direct effects of the climax.

Denouement

Refers to tying up any loose ends that may be left in the story.

Point of view (perspective)

The perspective/position from which a story is told.

Setting

The place where and the time when the story takes place.

Short story

A story with a fully developed theme but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel.

Symbol

A person, place, or thing in a narrative that suggests meanings beyond its literal sense.

Third person narrator

A type of narration in which the narrator is a nonparticipant.

Tone

The attitude of the speaker/writer towards their subject.

Mood

Expresses the overall feeling or atmosphere of a literary work.