Short Story Theory Flashcards
What are the parts of a short story?
Plot
Character
Theme
Setting
What are the elements of plot?
1) Motivation
2) Conflict
3) Complication
4) Suspense
5) Climax
6) Outcome
7) Denouement
What is the Motivation?
Why did it happen
What is the Conflict?
Aan opposing force against the protagonist
What is the Complication?
The conflict creates a complication
What is the Suspense?
Wondering what will happen next
What is the Climax?
Where the conflict is confronted and begins to be resolved
What is the Outcome?
The result
What is the Denouement?
An explanation
What is “in media res?”
in the middle of things (Starting in the middle of a story)
What is “deus ex machina?”
A Hockey ending. Machine of the Gods
What are the 7 types of characters?
1) Round
2) Flat
3) Static
4) Dynamic
5) Stock
6) Protagonist
7) Antagonist
Round
A character with many traits
Flat
An underdeveloped character
Static
A character that does not change from the beginning to the end of a story
Dynamic
A character that undergoes a major change
Stock
A stereotypical character
Protagonist
The person who sets out to achieve a goal
Antagonist
The opposing forces. Stops the protagonist
What are the elements of a setting?
Time and Place
What is the mood?
The feeling a character or reader gets
What is the atmosphere?
The physical surroundings. Creates the mood
Where can you find the theme?
From the dynamic character
What is the theme?
A generalization about life
What does a theme usually start with?
Often times people
What is irony?
Appearance vs Reality
What is Dramatic Irony?
When one or more characters is unaware of the true situation (but the reader does)
What is Verbal Irony?
When someone says something but means something else
What is Situational Irony?
When something unexpected happens with a twist
What are the 4 types of POV’s?
1) First Person
2) Limited Omniscient
3) Omniscient
4) Objective
What is First Person point of view?
When the character is a participant in the story. Uses I
What is Limited Omniscient?
When you can enter <1 mind in a short story> and <2 or 3 minds in a novel>
What is Omniscient?
When you can enter all characters minds
What is Objective?
When you can not enter any characters minds
What are the Third person points of view?
Limited Omniscient
Omniscient
Objective
