Literary Terms (Short Story Unit)

Question 1

Allegory

Answer 1

A story or narrative in which a moral principle or abstract truth is presented by means of fiction characters or events.

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

A brief reference to a person, place, or event (real or fictional).

Question 3

Antagonist

Answer 3

The force(s) that works against the protagonist, such as other people, things, society, or themselves.

Question 4

Climax

Answer 4

The turning point in the story or the point when the conflict is resolved.

Question 5

Compare

Answer 5

To look for qualities or characteristics that are similar to each other. The similarities are stressed, but in some cases, differences are also mentioned.

Question 6

Internal Conflict

Answer 6

Man vs. Himself

Question 7

Connotation

Answer 7

What a word infers or suggests.

Question 8

Contrast

Answer 8

The stressing of differences of things, qualities, events, or problems.

Question 9

Denotation

Answer 9

The literal meaning or definition of a word.

Question 10

Dilemma

Answer 10

A situation in which a character must choose between two different paths of action which are undesirable.

Question 11

Direct Presentation

Answer 11

The narrator tells the reader everything about the character.

Question 12

Dramatic or Objective Point of View

Answer 12

The opposite of the omniscient point of view. Like a camera following and recording events without judgement or comment. The author does not show the feelings or thoughts of any of the characters. The reader must judge things by themselves.

Question 13

Dynamic Character

Answer 13

A character that changes during the story.

Question 14

Falling Action

Answer 14

A part of the plot, which occurs after the climax.

Question 15

First Person Point of View

Answer 15

The narrator tells the story in the first person, “I”. The reader sees and know only as much as the narrator.

Question 16

Flashback

Answer 16

When the present action in a story is temporarily interrupted so that the reader can witness past events.

Question 17

Flat Character

Answer 17

A character with one or two traits.

Question 18

Foreshadowing

Answer 18

Hints or clues that help the reader anticipate the outcome of the story.

Question 19

Indirect Presentation

Answer 19

When we know about a character by what he or she says, does, or thinks, and how other character react to them.

Question 20

Verbal Irony (Sarcasm)

Answer 20

When someone says or writes one thing or uses words to convey a meaning that is opposite of the literal meaning.

Question 21

Situational Irony

Answer 21

When a situation involving actions have an effect that is opposite of what was intended, so the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

Question 22

Dramatic Irony

Answer 22

A situation of drama that is understood by the audience, but not grasped by the characters in the story.

Question 23

Limited Omniscient Point of View

Answer 23

The author tells the story in the third person, but he tells it from the viewpoint of only once character in the story. (In effect, the author stands by the side of the character and presents the story through their eyes)

Question 24

Omniscient Point of View

Answer 24

The author tells the story in the third person and he knows everything about all of the characters.

Question 25

Plot

Answer 25

The sequence of events in a story.

Question 26

Point of View

Answer 26

Who is telling the story.

Question 27

Protagonist

Answer 27

The central character in the story in which the conflict surrounds.

Question 28

Rising Action

Answer 28

A series of steps that develops the conflict as it builds to a climax. It begins with an initial incident.

Question 29

Round Character

Answer 29

A character who is complex and many sided. Often presented in detail.

Question 30

Satire

Answer 30

A form of irony that ridicules the faults of humanity, but always in the interest of society.

Question 31

Setting

Answer 31

The time, place, and mood of a story.

Question 32

Static Character

Answer 32

A character that does not change or grow over the course of the story.

Question 33

Stereotyped or Stock Character

Answer 33

A “flat character” who is a certain type.

Question 34

Suspense

Answer 34

A narrative technique where an author creates uncertainty or anxiety in the reader/audience about what will happen next in the story. (Generally resolves when the story reaches its climax)

Question 35

Symbolism

Answer 35

A symbol is something which means more than what appears. A symbol can be an object, person, situation, or an action which has a literal meaning but suggests or represents other meanings as well.

Question 36

Theme

Answer 36

A theme is the central idea of the story. It is usually not stated by the author, instead the reader must discover the theme by questioning and examining the meaning of the story.

Question 37

Irony

Answer 37

A mode of expressions, through words or events conveying a reality different from and usually opposite to appearance or expectation.

Question 38

Foil

Answer 38

A character that serves by contrast to stress opposing traits in another character

Question 39

External Conflict (3)

Answer 39

• Man vs. Man or Groups of People
• Man vs. the Environment/Society
• Man vs. the Unknown (the supernatural)

Question 40

What are the 5 parts of a plot?

Answer 40

1. Introduction
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action (aka denoument or resolution)
5. Conclusion