Narration & Short Story Concepts

These flashcards cover various key concepts related to narration and short story structure, including definitions and explanations of literary terms.

What is pure narration?

Simply telling a story without a specific purpose.

What is a narrative essay?

A story told with a specific purpose, often including a first person, reflective introduction and conclusion.

What must a storyteller address in a narrative?

The 5W’s: who, what, where, when, why, and sometimes how.

What are the three parts of a plot?

Beginning, middle, and end.

What does character development indicate in a narrative?

The central character experiences change, often in the midst of a struggle.

What is the central theme of a narrative?

A comment about some aspect of life or a sense of purpose.

What is tone in narrative writing?

The emotions and attitudes communicated to the reader through word selection.

Define diction in literary context.

A writer’s choice of words important in developing individual style.

What is a dynamic character?

A character that changes as the plot unfolds.

What is the climax of a story?

The turning point or point of highest intensity in the plot.

What is foreshadowing in narrative writing?

Hints or clues that prepare the reader for future events.

What is the primary purpose of a backstory?

To provide background information that adds meaning to the current events in a story.

Define motif in literature.

A repeated element with symbolic significance within a literary work.

What is the difference between first person and third person narrative perspective?

First person is from a character's viewpoint using 'I'; third person uses 'he, she, they' and maintains distance from characters.

What does the term 'suspense' refer to in storytelling?

Intrigue or curiosity concerning the eventual outcome of the story.

What does 'theme' mean in the context of a literary work?

The central idea in a work, revealed by events rather than simply what happens.