Short Story Unit Exam

What is a protagonist in a story?

The main person or animal taking part in the action of the story.

Define antagonist.

A character or force in conflict with the main character.

What are major characters in a story?

Characters around whom most of the action revolves.

What role do minor characters play in a story?

They help keep the action moving and help readers learn more about the main character.

What is a key feature of characters in a short story?

There are only a few well-developed characters.

What drives a character's actions?

Their motives, which are the emotions or goals that drive them to act.

What are character's traits?

Individual qualities that make each character unique.

How is characterization defined?

The way a writer develops or creates a character, making them seem believable to the reader.

What are the four methods of characterization?

Physical appearance, personality, TAD (thoughts, actions, dialogues), and others' opinions.

What is direct characterization?

Describing the character through direct statements and descriptions found in the story.

What is indirect characterization?

Revealing a character through TAD and others' opinions, requiring the reader to infer.

What does setting refer to in a story?

The time and place of the story's action.

How is a setting developed in a story?

It is made real through the writer's description of scenes.

What enhances the vividness of a setting?

The more words appeal to our senses, the more vivid the setting will be.

What are the five senses associated with setting?

Sight, Touch, Hear, Taste, Smell.

What is mood in the context of a story?

The feeling the story creates in the reader.

How can mood be created in a story?

Through sensory details, word choice, and pacing.

What is the definition of plot?

The action in the story from beginning to end.

List the parts of plots.

Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.

What happens in the exposition of a plot?

Characters, setting, and initial conflict are introduced.

What is the climax of a story?

The most exciting or important part where the outcome suddenly becomes clear.

Define falling action.

The action or dialogue after the climax leading to the story's ending.

What is resolution in a plot?

The end of the story where all problems are solved.

What is a conflict in a story?

A problem or struggle between two clashing forces.

What are the four basic conflicts?

Person vs. Person, Person vs. Self, Person vs. Society, Person vs. Nature.

What defines a surprise ending?

An outcome different from what was expected.

What is a cliffhanger?

A story that abruptly ends after the climax, leaving out falling action and resolution.

What is a theme in literature?

The message of life hidden in the story, which must be discovered.

How can one identify a theme in literature?

By examining characters' TAD, important statements from the narrator, setting description, and plot events.

Differences between theme and subject?

Theme is the underlying message; subject is the overall topic.

Differences between theme and moral?

Theme is a hidden message; moral is a specific lesson taught directly to the reader.

What is point of view in storytelling?

The perspective from which the story is told, depending on the narrator.

What is first person point of view?

When a character tells the story using first-person pronouns.

What is third person point of view?

When someone outside the story tells it using third-person pronouns.

What are the two types of third-person perspective?

Omniscient (thoughts of all characters) and Limited Omniscient (thoughts of one character).