Short Story Terms

Frame Story: Leads readers from a first story into another, smaller one (or several ones) within it. Theme: The central or universal idea of a piece of fiction; it is a perception about life and the human condition. Symbols: Characters, settings, images, or other motifs that represent bigger ideas. Authors often use symbols (or symbolism) to give their work more meaning and to make a story be about more than the events it describes. Motif: A recurring symbol that has significance within a story. Setting: The time and place in which it occurs. Elements of setting may include the physical, psychological, cultural, or historical background against which the story takes place. Tone: The author’s attitude toward the subject. Mood: How we are made to feel as readers, or the emotion evoked by the author. Flashback: A literary device by which a work presents material that occurred prior to the opening scene. Foreshadowing: The presentation of material in a work in such a way that later events are prepared for. The purpose of foreshadowing is to prepare the reader or viewer for action to come. Verbal irony: The words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning (sarcasm). Situational Irony: Events turn out the opposite of what was expected. What the characters and audience think should happen isn't what eventually happens. Dramatic irony: The audience perceives something that a character in the story does not know. Satire: A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, mockery, or wit. Used to attack or expose folly (foolish behavior), vice (immoral behavior), or stupidity. Allusion: A reference within a literary work to another work of literature, art, or real event. The reference is often brief and implied. NARRATION AND POINT OF VIEW Narrator: The teller of a story Reliable narrator: The reader accepts the statements of fact and judgment without serious question Unreliable narrator: The reader questions or seeks to qualify the statements of fact and judgment. Point of View: Refers to who is telling or narrating a story (the story is not always told from the POV of theauthor). A story can be told from the first person, second person or third person point of view. First person: The main character is telling the story ("I," "me" or "we") Second person: Narrator is speaking to the reader ("you," "your," and "yours") Third person: External narrator telling the story ("he," "she," "it," or "they") CHARACTERS Characterization: The description of 1. A character’s physical traits (how a character looks)2. A character’s personality 3. A character’s thoughts 4. A character’s actions Two types of characterization: Indirect characterization: Describes a character through their thoughts, actions, speech, and dialogue. Direct characterization: Describes the character through their physical description, line of work, or passions and pursuits. Dynamic character: A character which changes during the course of a story or novel Static character: A character who remains primarily the same during the course of a story or novel Round character: A well developed character who demonstrates varied and sometimes contradictory traits Flat character: A two-dimensional and relatively uncomplicated character who does not change throughout a story or novel Stock Character: A special kind of flat character who is instantly recognizable (stereotypical) Protagonist: The story’s main character Antagonist: A character in opposition of the protagonist Secondary Characters: Sidekick/loyal friend, one who furthers the plot, the wise counsel Character Foil: A secondary character who contrasts with the protagonist in order to highlight aspects of the main character’s personality CONFLICT Conflict: The opposition of persons or forces that brings about dramatic action central to the plot of a story. Character versus Character: A conflict between one character and another Character versus Nature: A conflict between a character and a force of nature Character versus Society: A conflict between a character and the values, beliefs, and/or customs of a larger group Character versus Self: An internal psychological conflict within a character PLOT ELEMENTS Exposition: Background information about the protagonist in normal life. Inciting Incident (Conflict): Something happens that creates a problem for the protagonist. Rising Action: The sequence of events that happen as a result of the conflict. These usually get more intense over time. Climax: The most exciting part of the story; the turning point. Falling Action: The events that happen after the climax. Denouement (Resolution): Loose ends tied up/ a peek at how things have changed.