Literary Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key literary terms, story elements, characterization types, conflicts, forms of irony, symbolism, and themes from the short story unit lecture.

Setting - Time/Date

When the story takes place.

Setting - Place

Where the story takes place.

External Characterization

What the character looks like, such as gender, age, appearance, etc.

Internal Characterization

Characteristics/traits of the character, explaining what the character is like (e.g., happy, sad, arrogant, etc.).

Conflict

What drives the story; the main problem characters encounter or face.

Person vs. Person (PvP)

A type of conflict where the main character is having a problem with another character.

Person vs. Self (PvS)

A type of conflict where the main character's problem(s) are with themself.

Person vs. Nature (PvN)

A type of conflict where the main character is struggling or fighting against nature or the elements.

Person vs. Society (PvSO)

A type of conflict where the main character is struggling or fighting against society or the way things are in a society.

Supernatural Conflict

A type of conflict involving ghosts or unexplainable things by science.

Dramatic Irony

When the reader knows something which the character does not.

Situational Irony

A situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected (the opposite of what was expected happens).

Verbal Irony

When the actual/usual meaning of a word is not being used in the situation, such as when people speak sarcastically.

Symbolism

Things or objects in stories that represent or stand for something other than what they really are.

Theme

The subject of the story or main point, representing the message or lesson the author is trying to send or give to the reader.