Ingles

Short Story

Short Story

Poe’s definition (popularized by Poe): A short, concentrated tale that can be read in one sitting that leaves the reader with a single, powerful impression.

Plot

The sequence of events that make up the story

Parts of the plot

1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

3. Inciting Incident

4. Central Conflict

5. Climax

6. Falling Action

7. Resolution

Theme

Universal idea, lesson or message explored through literature

Stated theme

direct statement from the author

Implied theme

Details hint at it, but do not clearly express it ;a theme that is implied through – Characters, Plot, Setting, Stylistic Choices

Tone

The author’s attitude toward their subject

Symbol(ism)

An object, person, place, or action that represents an idea other than the object (ppa) itself

Characterization

The process by which an author reveals the personality of a character; how an author

Direct characterization

An author directly explains a character’s personality; lists a character’s traits

Indirect characterization

An author reveals a character’s personality through that character’s words, thoughts, actions, and comments about them from other characters.

Setting

Time and place of the story

Natural or artificial

Point of View

The perspective of the story

3rd person Limited

access to only one character's perspective, a limited perspective

3rd person objective

narrator simply describes what is happening to the characters in the story and does not show us anyone's thoughts or feelings

3rd person omniscient

knows thoughts of every character

Exposition

the insertion of background information within a story or narrative

Rising Action

all the events that happen in a story on the way to the climax

Inciting Incident

event that starts the rising action

Central Conflict

he main problem that has to be overcome

Internal Conflict

the struggle occurring within a character's mind

External Conflict

a type of conflict that places characters at odds with forces outside themselves

Climax

The height of the story, two different types; moment when all tension is released and everything falls apart

Falling Action

the moment immediately following the climax - things begin to return to a new normal - slowing down of intensity

Resolution

the conclusion of the story; all problems resolved

Connotation

you mean what you say, literally

Connotation

is created when you mean something else, something that might be initially hidden

Fiction

literature in the form of prose that describes imaginary events and people

Diction

the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

Syntax

the set of rules that determines the arrangement of words in a sentence

Literal Language

exactly what is written

Figurative Language

the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order and meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or evocative comparison

Simile

a direct/explicit comparison of two unlike things using “like or as” - suggests that the objects are similar to each other

Metaphor

a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn't literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison

Explicit metaphor

A comparison of two unlike objects by directly suggesting one object IS the other

Implicit metaphor

A comparison of two unlike objects by implying one object is the other

Allusion

an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text

Allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Empathy

the ability to understand and share the feelings of another because you have been there too.

Irony

A literary device that uses contradictory statements or situations to reveal a reality different from what appears to be true

Dramatic Irony

audience knows truth, but characters do not

Situational Irony

discrepancy between what is expected and what actually happens

Verbal Irony

one thing is said, but opposite is meant

Shift

Happens

Form

matters

What does this phrase mean “How does the story mean?”

It asks how does the story get its point across

Once is an occurrence,

Twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern, and patterns are worth exploring

John Green’s main points about “How and Why We Read”

Understand lives other than yours, help you be more empathetic, and help you share your stories