Short Story Unit Vocabulary

Theme

A central topic, subject, or idea that is incorporated into 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.

Man vs Self

A type of conflict that happens within the character. Usually involves the main character's inner conflict with self-doubt, a moral dilemma, or their own nature.

Man vs Man

A type of conflict that happens between two characters in the story that are in direct opposition from each other.

Man vs Society

A type of conflict that happens the main character(s) are in a direct conflict with society (the rest of the world)

Man vs Nature

A type of conflict that happens when the main character(s) are in a direct conflict with the natural world

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes an important internal change (personality, perspective, understandings, 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

Foil Character

A character who contrasts with another character - usually the main character to highlight their qualities

Direct Characterization

A method of describing the character in a straightforward manner: through their physical description (i.e. blue eyes), their line of work (i.e. lawyer), and their passions and outside pursuits (i.e. voracious reader)

Indirect Characterization

A method that reveals details about a character without stating them explicitly. Instead of describing a character in a straightforward way, the author shows their traits through that character's actions, speech, thoughts, appearance, and how other characters react to them

Foreshadowing

The use of hints or clues in a narrative to suggest future action

Flashback

A scene that interrupts the action of a work to show a previous event

Irony

A situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality. For example, the difference between what something appears to mean versus its literal meaning. Irony is associated with both tragedy and humor.

Dramatic Irony

occurs when the reader knows more about a character's situation than the character does. The reader foresees an outcome that is different than the character's expectations

Situational Irony

occurs when a situation turns out differently from what one would normally expect -- though often the twist is oddly appropriate.

Verbal Irony

occurs when a speaker or narrator says one thing while meaning the opposite.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known mythological, literary, or historical person, place, or thing: e.g., "He was a real Scrooge."

Figurative Language

phrasing that goes beyond the literal meaning of words to get a message or point across.

Simile

A comparison of two things (which may be dissimilar), often for the purpose of explanation, USING the words "like" or "as" or "than"

Metaphor

A comparison of two things (which may be dissimilar), often for the purpose of explanation, WITHOUT using the words "like" or "as"

Personification

A kind of metaphor that gives inanimate objects or abstract ideas human characteristics.

Imagery

Imagery is language used by poets, novelists and other writers to create images in the mind of the reader. Imagery includes figurative and metaphorical language to improve the reader's experience through their senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste)

Symbol

Any object, person, place, or action that has both a meaning in itself and that stands for something larger than itself, such as a quality, attitude, belief, or value

Symbolism

the use of words or images to symbolize specific concepts, people, objects, or events. In some cases, symbolism is broad and used to communicate a work's theme. In other cases, symbolism is used to communicate details about a character, setting, or plot point, such as a black cat being used to symbolize a character's bad luck.