Literary Terms - Short Story Exam

character

a person in a story

direct characterization

a method of describing the character in a straightforward manner

indirect characterization

a method of describing the character in an indirect manner

protagonist

the main character in a story

antagonist

the main villain in a story

symbol

a thing that represents something abstract

irony

one's usage of language that usually signifies the opposite

dramatic irony

when the audience knows more than the character

verbal irony

saying one thing while meaning the opposite

irony of situation

the irony of something happening that is very different to what is expected

imagery

language that appeals to the senses

plot

the main events of a story

allusion

to reference inexplicitly

conflict

a disagreement

internal conflict

conflict with oneself

external conflict

conflict with others

climax

the most intense point of a story

metaphor

a compaarison without using like or as

simile

a comparison using like or as

atmosphere

the feel of a story

foreshadowing

hinting at future events

flashback

a scene set in the past

dynamic character

a character that undergoes change throughout the story

static character

a character who doesn't change

personification

giving human-like characteristics to non-living things

stock character

a character recognized throughout multiple arts

setting

where and when a story takes place

rising action

the build-up to the climax

complications

difficulties

local color

the things that contribue to a character

point of view

the position in relation to where the story is told

omniscient pov

knowing the thoughts and feelings of all characters

third person pov

pov from an outside character

first person pov

pov from the main character

tone

the attitude of a piece (how the writer feels towards a story)

satire

humor

theme

the main takeaway from a story

exposition

the intro to a story

resolution

the solution to a conflict

colloquialism

informal phrases (ex: ain't, gonna, y'all)

slang

informal words or phrases (ex: rad, fire)

jargon

special words or expressions (used by a particular group)

dialect

language for a particular group (regional)