Short Story Terms

Question 1

Verse

Answer 1

Text that is written using rhythm and/or rhyme.

Question 2

Prose

Answer 2

Text that is not written using rhythm or rhyme. (It uses standard written English.)

Question 3

Fiction

Answer 3

A story that did not really happen but was invented by an author.

Question 4

Realistic Fiction

Answer 4

Although it didn’t happen, it could have.

Question 5

Historical Fiction

Answer 5

The story is based on actual historical events and/or the experiences of real people in history, but the characters and the details are invented by the author.

Question 6

Fantasy

Answer 6

The events in the story could never really happen.

Question 7

Plot

Answer 7

The order the author arranges the events in the story to create conflict and suspense.

Question 8

Background/Exposition

Answer 8

Events that define the setting, introduce the main character and establish a stable situation. (One without conflict.)

Question 9

Rising Action

Answer 9

The longest part of the story; events that lead to the climax and develop characterization.

Question 10

Climax

Answer 10

The turning point in the story; the most exciting part.

Question 11

Resolution

Answer 11

Events that return the action to a stable situation; solution.

Question 12

Conflict

Answer 12

A struggle between two or more opposing forces.

Question 13

4 types of Conflict?

Answer 13

Person vs. Person, Person vs. Self, Person vs. Nature, and Person vs. Society.

Question 14

Flashback

Answer 14

A pause in the action of a story to tell of events that took place before the story began.

Question 15

Foreshadowing

Answer 15

Hints that the author gives about events that are going to happen later in the story or to tell of events that took place earlier, but the reader was not aware of at the time.

Question 16

Characterization

Answer 16

Techniques the author uses to develop the individual characters so that the reader can “get to know” them.

Question 17

Theme

Answer 17

The message the author is trying to put across to the reader.

Question 18

Setting

Answer 18

The time and place in which a story takes place.

Question 19

Tone

Answer 19

The attitude that a writer takes towards what he or she is writing.

Question 20

Mood

Answer 20

The atmosphere that exists within a written work; how the reader feels while reading it.

Question 21

Motivation

Answer 21

A feeling, idea, or goal that causes a character to act in a certain way.

Question 22

Cause and Effect

Answer 22

A relationship between events or things where one is the result of the other.

Question 23

Point of View

Answer 23

The perspective from which the story us told.

Question 24

Narrator

Answer 24

The “voice” who tells the story.

Question 25

First person narrator

Answer 25

A narrator that is also a character in the story who refers to him/herself as "I" or "me."

Question 26

Third person narrator

Answer 26

A narrator that reveals the thoughts of only one character as "he" or "she." (limited)

Question 27

Omniscient narrator

Answer 27

A narrator that is all-knowing and can reveal the thoughts of any and all of the characters.

Question 28

Irony

Answer 28

A situations in which something which was intended to have a particular result has the opposite or a very different result.

Question 29

Dramatic Irony.

Answer 29

When the reader or audience understands more about the events of a story than a character.

Question 30

Situational Irony

Answer 30

Occurs when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.

Question 31

Verbal Irony

Answer 31

When a character says one thing but really means the opposite. (often sarcasm)

Question 32

Figurative language

Answer 32

A way of expressing an idea that does not use a word's strict or realistic meaning.

Question 33

Simile

Answer 33

A comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as."

Question 34

Metaphor

Answer 34

A comparison of two unlike things NOT using "like" or "as."

Question 35

Personification

Answer 35

When you give human qualities to an animal or object.

Question 36

Hyperbole

Answer 36

A gross exaggeration to make a point.

Question 37

Scientific Fiction

Answer 37

The story could not happen because of some technological or scientific impossibility.