Short Story Unit: Literary Devices and Characterization

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key literary devices, character types, and characterization techniques from the lecture notes.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Connotation

All the meanings, associations, or emotions that a word suggests.

Diction

The author's choice of words.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally.

Setting

The time and place of a story or play, which provides conflict and CONTEXT.

Theme

The central idea of a literary work; what the author is trying to say about the subject.

Character

A person in the story.

Antagonist

A character who is involved in conflict with the protagonist.

Protagonist

The main character, the one who "drives the action".

Round Character

A realistic character that has many different traits and is fully developed.

Flat Character

A character that, having only one or two traits, is easily described and one dimensional.

Static Character

A character who remains the same and changes very little from beginning to end.

Dynamic Character

A character who in some way changes as a result of a different way of behaving, which may involve new knowledge.

Archetype

An original model or type after which other similar things are performed; a prototype.

Foil

A character created when two major characters are two opposites.

Characterization

The process of revealing a personality and a character in the story.

Direct Characterization

When the author explicitly tells us what the character is like and explains the character's traits.

Indirect Characterization

When the author explains traits through actions, speech, appearance, inner thoughts and feelings, or what is said about the character.