(EN) Literary Techniques and Devices Used in Short Stories Flashcards
characterization
An author always creates central characters to develop a plot and to represent a particular topic, such as relationships, love, neglect, grief, conflict, prejudice, injustice, survival, change, identity, moral dilemmas, stages of life, etc., or human qualities, such as leadership, courage, empathy, etc. It is central to any story and is always connected to the main idea.
flashback
An author jumps backwards in time, temporarily suspending the progress of the plot to narrate earlier events
foreshadowing
Certain words or images found in a story can be hints about important events that will follow
narrative point of view
A story is always told from a particular perspective. In first-person narration, the main character, speaking as “I,” provides readers with direct insight into their thoughts and feelings. In third-person narration, a voice with no actual identity narrates the story, referring to all characters as “he,” “she,” or “they.” It usually reveals the thoughts and feelings of the characters in a more objective way or from varied perspectives.
setting
An author chooses a time and place to develop a story. (e.g., time: a historical era, season, year, time of day, etc., or place: outer space, heaven, a city, a hospital, a classroom, etc.).
