EAE 1W1 Short Stories Flashcards
What is a short story?
A fictional, narrative piece of prose that is shorter than a novel but has many similar characteristics.
How is a short story different from a novel?
Shorter in length (2-15 pages), fewer characters, faster climax, catchy opening, and ends quickly.
What makes the title important in a short story?
Every word counts, and the title often hints at the characters, setting, or plot.
What is a character?
A person, object, or animal that plays an important role in the story and participates in the plot.
What are the types of characters in a story?
Static, Dynamic, Stereotyped.
What is the protagonist in a story?
The main character around whom the story revolves, can be good or bad.
Who is the antagonist in a story?
The character who opposes or fights against the protagonist, creating obstacles.
What is a narrator?
The character or voice that tells the story, either in first person or third person.
What is the setting of a story?
The time, place, environment, atmosphere, and specific elements where the story occurs.
What can a setting do in a story?
It creates realism, reveals characters, develops conflict, or symbolizes a theme.
What are the main types of conflicts in stories?
Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, Character vs. Circumstances, Character vs. Supernatural, Character vs. Technology.
What are the 7 elements of a plot diagram?
Introduction, Initial Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution, Conclusion.
What is foreshadowing?
Providing hints about events that will happen later in the story.
What is flashback?
A technique for presenting something that happened in the past to explain the current situation.
What is suspense?
The feeling of excitement and curiosity that keeps the reader engaged.
What is the theme of a story?
The main idea or message of the story.
What is pathetic fallacy?
When the weather or environment reflects the emotions or actions in the story.
What is verbal irony?
When someone says the opposite of what they mean.
What is situational irony?
When what happens is different from what is expected.
What is dramatic irony?
When the reader knows something the characters do not.
What are the 5 elements of a good setting?
Time, Place, Environment, Atmosphere/Mood, Specific Elements (e.g., historical context).
What is a dynamic character?
A character that changes as a result of the events in the story.
What is a static character?
A character that remains the same throughout the story.
What is a stereotyped character?
A character with typical and commonly seen traits, often fitting a specific type.
What is the role of secondary characters in a story?
They support, converse, accompany, or help the main character, but are not as important.
What is the role of the chorus in a story?
Characters that add realism, provide important information, foreshadow events, or create comic relief.
What are the different points of view a narrator can take?
Limited Eye, Omniscient, First Person, Third Person.
How does the setting impact the plot?
It can affect character development, play a role in the conflict, and help create mood or symbolism.
What is the difference between an open and a closed ending?
Open ending leaves the main conflict unresolved, while a closed ending ties up loose ends and resolves the conflict.
What is the climax in a plot diagram?
The turning point or most significant moment in the story, where the action reaches its peak.
What is the resolution in a plot diagram?
The outcome or solution to the main conflict.
What is the purpose of rising action in a story?
To introduce complications or obstacles the protagonist must overcome, building tension.
What is irony of circumstance?
When what happens in the story is different from what the reader or characters expect.
What is a flashback and why is it used?
A technique for presenting events that happened earlier, helping explain the current situation.
What is genre, and what are its three types?
A category of story. The three types are: story type (romance, thriller, etc.), writing type (short story, novel), and language type (slang, dialect).
How can inferences help readers understand the story?
Inferences allow readers to guess or deduce information that isn’t explicitly stated by the author.
What are some common uses of setting as a symbol in a story?
The setting can symbolize themes like hopelessness (e.g., a withered tree) or survival (e.g., a desert).
What is the initial incident in a plot?
The main conflict that starts the action and sets the plot in motion.
How does the falling action function in a plot?
It shows what happens after the climax and leads toward the resolution.
