Short Story Literary Terms Flashcards
1st person point of view
When the narrator uses words like “I “, “we”, “ us”
3rd person point of view
When the author only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character, but refers to that character as “ he” or “ she”
Antagonist
A person or force that opposes the protagonist or central character
Protagonist
The central character in a literary work around whom the main conflict revolves.
Characterization
The methods a writer uses to reveal the personality of a character
Climax
The most exciting part of the story. OR. The place in the story where the character learns something
Plot
The sequence of events in a drama or a narrative work of fiction.
Rising Action
The events in a story that lead up to the climax and add to the conflict
Plot
The sequence of events in a drama or work of fiction.
Falling action
The events in the story that lead to the resolution
Resolution
The final outcome of the story. ( how the conflict is resolved)
Exposition
Introduces the story’s characters, setting, and situation.
Conflict
The struggle between two opposing forces
Round character
A character who reveals several aspects of their personality. The reader knows several things about them.
Flat character
A character who only reveals one aspect of their personality
Static character
This type of character stays the same throughout the story.
Dynamic character
This type of character grows and changes, or learns something during the story.
Tone
The WRITERS attitude toward the subject matter of their work
Mood
The emotional quality or atmosphere of a literary work.
Irony
A contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality.
Situational irony
When the outcome of a situation is the opposite of one expectations
Imagery
Appeals to the readers five senses
Allegory
Uses symbols to
Symbol
An object in a story that represent something abstract…..like an idea
