Short Story Elements and Figurative Language Vocab

Question 1

The Six Elements of Literature found in every story

Answer 1

Character, Plot, POV, Setting, Conflict, Theme

Question 2

The time, place, and social context in which the story takes place

Answer 2

Setting

Question 3

A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in a story

Answer 3

Conflict

Question 4

The perspective from which the story and background information are revealed

Answer 4

POV

Question 5

A short or simple recurring topic, subject, or issue found in a story

Answer 5

Motif

Question 6

Action of sequence of events that make up a story

Answer 6

Plot

Question 6

The conversation and speaking found within a story

Answer 6

Dialogue

Question 7

The complex, central or controlling idea, moral, message, or lesson as revealed through the plot, action, characters, dialogue, narration, and symbols found in a literary work

Answer 7

Theme

Question 8

It’s not so easy to fool children as it used to be because they are more aware today

Answer 8

Theme

Question 9

Loss of innocence

Answer 9

Motif

Question 10

Even unwise sacrifice made out of love is more important than material gifts

Answer 10

Theme

Question 11

An unwanted pregnancy will change everything, no matter what the decision

Answer 11

Theme

Question 12

Social bullying

Answer 12

Motif

Question 13

Everyone has inner demons and strengths

Answer 13

Theme

Question 14

People who face judgement successfully will often develop inner peace & strength

Answer 14

Theme

Question 15

How does an author or narrator portray a character?

Answer 15

STAAR

Question 16

What does STAAR stand for?

Answer 16

S - Speech/say
T - Think/thoughts
A - Actions
A - Appearance
R - Reactions

Question 17

A character that does not change in the story

Answer 17

Static

Question 18

A character that is unique, has personality, and is often complex/interesting (3D)

Answer 18

Round

Question 19

A character that changes a great deal during a story

Answer 19

Dynamic

Question 20

A character that is one-dimensional and is easily stereotyped or symbolic

Answer 20

Flat

Question 21

The person or character who tells the story, giving background information and bridging the gaps in dialogue

Answer 21

Narrator

Question 22

The main character/hero in a story found in the center of the conflict or action

Answer 22

Protagonist

Question 23

The person or force that works against the hero or main character of a story

Answer 23

Antagonist

Question 24

This character is presented for comparison & contrast of the main character

Answer 24

Foil

Question 25

This character is a symbol for a certain type of person found in many stories

Answer 25

Stock

Question 26

The feeling that is conveyed/created for the reader by the overall story

Answer 26

Mood

Question 27

The author's personality as revealed through the written prose

Answer 27

Voice

Question 28

The author's use of overall language, syntax, and literary devices

Answer 28

Style

Question 29

The accent or sound of the character's speech giving us an idea of his or her background, social status, and where he or she is from

Answer 29

Dialect

Question 30

The attitude of the author as revealed by the story and its narrator

Answer 30

Tone

Question 31

When an object or thing represents something else, such as an abstract idea in order to emphasize a plot, character, or thematic elements

Answer 31

Symbolism

Question 32

When a story goes back into the retroactive history to describe missing plot details

Answer 32

Flashback

Question 33

A deliberate attempt by an author to misdirect or divert the reader's attention

Answer 33

Red Herring

Question 34

Clues that suggest events that will come later in the story

Answer 34

Foreshadowing

Question 35

When the reader/audience is misled and something unexpected happens

Answer 35

Situational Irony

Question 36

When a story ends suddenly with an unsatisfying but usually suspenseful ending

Answer 36

Cliffhanger

Question 37

When the audience is meant to understand when something unexpected happens, but at least one character does not

Answer 37

Dramatic Irony

Question 38

The part of the story that occurs before the actual story takes place

Answer 38

Prologue

Question 39

The part of the story when the tension/suspense decreases

Answer 39

Falling Action

Question 40

The part of the story when the tension/suspense increases

Answer 40

Rising Action

Question 41

The part of the story that occurs after the actual story takes place

Answer 41

Epilogue

Question 42

The part of a story where the setting and main characters are revealed

Answer 42

Exposition

Question 43

A comparison using "like" or "as"

Answer 43

Simile

Question 44

An expression whose meaning is not predictable from the meaning of the words

Answer 44

Idiom

Question 45

Sensory descriptive language that creates vivid images or pictures

Answer 45

Imagery

Question 46

A brief and witty philosophical expression of truth

Answer 46

Aphorism

Question 47

A comparison that literally states on thing "is" another

Answer 47

Metaphor

Question 48

An extreme and unlikely exaggeration used to create emphasis or a desired effect

Answer 48

Hyperbole

Question 49

Giving an inanimate object human-like characteristics or traits

Answer 49

Personification

Question 50

An expression that has become so over-used it has lost all value or meaning

Answer 50

Cliche

Question 51

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one

Answer 51

Allegory

Question 52

The repeated use of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words that are near each other

Answer 52

Alliteration

Question 53

A brief reference to a biblical, historical, literry, or mythological person, place, thing, or idea

Answer 53

Allusion

Question 54

A word that sounds like its meaning or mimics a sound

Answer 54

Onomatopoeia

Question 55

The repeated use of a word, phrase, line, or stanza in a poem

Answer 55

Repetition

Question 56

The pattern of correspondence of the end sounds of each line of a stanza or poem; also correspondence of sounds other than at the ends of lines

Answer 56

Rhyme

Question 57

The sound pattern of a poem

Answer 57

Rhythm

Question 58

A series of lines grouped together and separated from other stanzas by a blank line

Answer 58

Stanza

Question 59

The overall organization of the lines

Answer 59

Structure

Question 60

The use of a symbol (words, objects, or actions) to represent something other than itself

Answer 60

Symbolism