Short story terms

Question 1

Plot

Answer 1

The organization of incidents within a story (5 elements)

Question 2

The 5 elements of plot

Answer 2

Introduction, rising action, climax, denouement, conclusion

Question 3

Introduction

Answer 3

Beginning, raises interest, gives setting, contains background, introduces characters, establishes atmosphere or mood

Question 4

Rising action

Answer 4

Events before the climax during which conflicts are introduced, suspense is built up, begins with a complication or initial incident

Question 5

Climax

Answer 5

The highest point of emotional intensity, usually marks a turning point in the protagonist’s fortunes, NOT the same as crisis, may be many small crises leading up to the climax

Question 6

Denouement

Answer 6

The unknotting of the plot and conflict, often omitted in order to have a surprise ending

Question 7

Conclusion

Answer 7

Final outcome, ending, can also be a surprise ending

Question 8

Setting

Answer 8

Time, place, mood

Question 9

Protagonist

Answer 9

Main character

Question 10

Antagonist

Answer 10

Force against protagonist

Question 11

Static character

Answer 11

Does not change

Question 12

Dynamic character

Answer 12

Undergoes major and lasting change

Question 13

Round character

Answer 13

Realistic, several sides to its personality

Question 14

Flat character

Answer 14

Minor character who has only one apparent quality

Question 15

Stereotype

Answer 15

Fixed character whose qualities are highlighter to fit a certain pattern or type

Question 16

Foil

Answer 16

Character whose behaviour, attitudes, etc contrast with those of the protagonist in order to help understand the character motivation

Question 17

Types of conflict (3)

Answer 17

Character vs environment, character vs character, character vs self

Question 18

Theme

Answer 18

Central idea (message) of the story, represents the author’s attitude towards some universal truth

Question 19

Purpose

Answer 19

Not the same as theme, main effect the story is attended to achieve

Question 20

Epiphany

Answer 20

A moment of significant insight and realization

Question 21

Foreshadowing

Answer 21

A hint of what is to come

Question 22

Types of irony (3)

Answer 22

Verbal, dramatic, situational

Question 23

Verbal irony

Answer 23

When there is a contrast between what a character says and what they mean

Question 24

Dramatic irony

Answer 24

The author shares information with the reader that a character does not know

Question 25

Situational irony

Answer 25

Circumstances turn out differently than is expected or desired

Question 26

Point of view

Answer 26

Perspective from which the story is told or seen

Question 27

1st person narrative

Answer 27

Uses “I”

Question 28

Limited omniscient

Answer 28

Told from one character’s point of view

Question 29

Omniscient

Answer 29

Reader knows and sees all

Question 30

2nd person narrative

Answer 30

Uses “you”

Question 31

Short story

Answer 31

A brief fictional prose narrative having one main character, a single plot, a limited number of settings and one main single event