Short Story Terms Flashcards
A narrative that serves as an extended metaphor, written in the form of fables, poems, stories, and almost any other style
allegory
A method used to build suspense by providing hints of what is to come
foreshadowing
A common practice in narration used to keep the interest of an audience usually surprising them with a revelation
narrative twist
A figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms
oxymoron
A word or group of words in a literary work which appeal to one or more of the senses
imagery
The time and place in which a story unfolds
setting
A comparison using the words like or as
simile
gives the story unity and provides an answer to the question what is the work about
theme
A narration or description of an event which took place prior to the beginning of the story
flashback
A character in a play who sets off another character by comparison
foil
The author’s attitude towards their subject
tone
central character in a literary work
protagonist
The audience’s knowledge of events surpasses the character’s
dramatic irony
the turning point to which the rising action leads
climax
indirect reference to a famous person event or place
allusion
occurs when the protagonist is opposed by a force
conflict
Assesing the differences between two or more ideas/objects/people
contrast
When an action is the reverse of what is expected or when the literal meaning of what is said differs form what is meant
irony
the force which opposes the protagonist
antagonist
a situation that seems to contradict itself but does not
paradox
atmosphere or feeling created by a literary work
mood
sequence of events in which the story unfolds
plot
A comparison without using like or as
metaphor
an object represents an idea
symbolism
something nonhuman is given human characteristics
personification
Written to arouse contempt and ridicule the subject of the work
satire
a quality that makes the readers uncertain about what is to come
suspense
