Short Story Terminology
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Created by:
Jugglergrl on September 20, 2009
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26 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Verbal irony | Occurs when a character or narrator says one thing but means the opposite |
| Dramatic Iiony | Occurs when the reader knows more than the character. The words or acts of the character carry a meaning which is unperceived by the character but understood by the reader. |
| Situational irony | Occurs when the contrast between what appears to be and what actually is exists; or contrast between what is expected and what actually happens exists. |
| Plot | The action of a story, the arrangement and sequence of related events. |
| Chronological | Places events in order of time from first to last. |
| Flashback | Looks back on events which have already occurred. |
| Point of view | The angle from which the author tells the story; the author's and, therefore, the reader's perspective on the story. |
| First-person narrative | The narrator uses "I" and participates in the action of the story. |
| Third person narrative | the narrator "he" and "she" and is an outside observer on the story. |
| Omniscient | Narrator is capable of knowing, seeing and telling all of a story. Narrator can reveal inner thoughts and feelings of all the characters and can comment on the action and its meaning. All-knowing. |
| Limited omniscient | Narrator focuses on the view of only one character, usually the protagonist, can reveal the inner thoughts and feelings of this one character but presents the other characters from the outside only. |
| Objective | Narrator describes the characters' statements and actions but does not reveal inner thoughts or feelings of the characters. |
| Atmosphere | The general mood, feeling or spirit of a story, generated by the setting and affected by the choice of words and subject matter. |
| Characterization | The mans through which the author gives life to the characters; the creation of imaginary persons so that they seem life like. Characterization is achieved through explanation, description, behavior, dialogue, thoughts, motivations, and responses |
| Protagonist | The central character who is faced with a basic problem or struggle |
| Antagonist | The person, place, idea, or physical force opposing the protagonist |
| Climax | The point of highest dramatic intensity; the turning point in the action after which the reader discovers wether the main character succeeds or fails in his or her struggle |
| Conflict | The struggle between two opposing forces; the main character's problem |
| External conflict | Happens outside of the character. The character, usually the protagonist, works to reslove the strugle between two elements within herself or himself. Sometimes, this form of conflict involves the character's struggle against society. |
| Foreshadowing | Clues or hints which prepare the reader for future action or events. Often hints are given in the atmosphere, physical objevts, facts, or character traits which are revealed |
| Irony | Contrast, contradiction, or discrepancy what is expected and what results. The term refers to a recognition of a reality different from appearance |
| Resolution | Events following the climax; the outcome; the aftermath |
| Setting | Background against which action takes place, including location, time, and environment--social moral, and emotional conditions - of the characters |
| Suspense | Anticipation as to the outcome of events, particularly as it may affect the character for whom the reader has sympathy; questions about a situation which leads to curiosity or tension about the outcome |
| Symbol | An object, action, person, place or some other detail which also stands for something abstract and means more than what it is |
| Theme | A central idea, usually about life or human behavior, on which the story is based. Theme is inferred from the story and is rarely stated in a story |
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