Chapter 1: Reading a Story Terms

Question 1

A brief, often humorous narrative told to illustrate a moral; the characters in fables are traditionally animals whose personality traits symbolize human traits

Answer 1

FABLE

Question 2

A brief, usually allegorical narrative that teaches a moral; the moral themes are implicit and can often be interpreted in several ways (unlike FABLES)

Answer 2

PARABLE

Question 3

A short narrative without a complex plot; an ancient form of narrative found in folklore, and traditional ones often contain supernatural themes

Answer 3

TALE

Question 4

A humorous short narrative that provides a wildly exaggerated version of events

Answer 4

TALL TALE

Question 5

A traditional form of short narrative folklore, originally transmitted orally, which features supernatural characters such as witches, giants, fairies, or animals with human personality traits; often feature a hero/heroine who strives to achieve a desirable fate

Answer 5

FAIRYTALE/FOLKTALE

Question 6

A prose narrative too brief to be published in a separate volume - as novels/novellas frequently are; usually a focused narrative that presents one or more characters involved in a single compelling action

Answer 6

SHORT STORY

Question 7

A narrative in which the main character, usually a child or adolescent, undergoes an important experience (or “rite of passage”) that prepared him/her for adulthood

Answer 7

INITIATION STORY/COMING-OF-AGE STORY

Question 8

The main or central character in a narrative; usually initiates the main action of the story, often in conflict with the antagonist

Answer 8

PROTAGONIST

Question 9

The most significant character or force that opposes the protagonist in a narrative; may be another character, society itself, a force of nature, or even - in some modern literature - conflicting impulses within the protagonist

Answer 9

ANTAGONIST

Question 10

The opening portion of a narrative; the scene is set, the protagonist is introduced, and the author discloses any other relevant background information

Answer 10

EXPOSITION

Question 11

The central struggle between two or more forces in a story; generally occurs when some person or thing prevents the protagonist from achieving his/her goal; basic material our of which plots are made

Answer 11

CONFLICT

Question 12

The introduction of a significant development in the central conflict between characters (or between the character and his/her situation); may be external (an outside problem that they cannot avoid) or internal (originates in some important aspect of a character’s values or personality)

Answer 12

COMPLICATION

Question 13

The point in a narrative when the crucial action, decision, or realization must take place

Answer 13

CRISIS

Question 14

The moment of greatest intensity in a story, which almost inevitable occurs toward the end of the work; often takes the form of a decisive confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist

Answer 14

CLIMAX

Question 15

In plotting, the logical end or outcome of a unified plot, short following the climax; also called “resolution” or “denouement”

Answer 15

CONCLUSION

Question 16

An indication of events to come in a narrative; the author may introduce specific words, images, or actions in order to suggest significant later use

Answer 16

FORESHADOWING

Question 17

A scene relived in a character’s memory; can be related by the narrator in a summary, or they may be experienced by the characters themselves; allow the author to include significant events that occurred before the opening of the story

Answer 17

FLASHBACK

Question 18

A moment of profound insight or revelation by which a character’s life is greatly altered

Answer 18

EPIPHANY

Question 19

A Latin phrase meaning “ in the midst of things”; refers to the narrative device of beginning a story midway in the events it depicts (usually in a exciting or significant moment) before explaining the context or preceding actions

Answer 19

IN MEDIAS RES