Short Story Unit Flashcards
What is the best way to express theme or thesis statements?
The best way to express theme or thesis statements is to write with the positive. Don’t use any negative language.
What are the main character types?
-Round -Flat -Dynamic (developing) -Stock -Static
When a character is round, what does that mean?
That means that the character is complex and many-sided; we learn much about what he/she thinks, feels, and wants.
When a character is flat, what does that mean?
That means that the character is known by one or two traits only.
When a character is dynamic (developing), what does that mean?
That means that the character undergoes a permanent change in their behavior, personality, or outlook; the character learns something and is different at the end (character change). Please note that death is not a character change.
When a character is stock, what does that mean?
That means that the character is a stereotyped character (such as a mad scientist, an absent-minded professor, or a cruel mother-in-law); we can often predict that a mad scientist will be evil and will try to do something terrible.
When a character is static, what does that mean?
That means that the character remains the same from beginning to end; his/her opinions and behavior do not change and the character doesn’t learn anything from the story’s events.
What is a character foil?
A character foil is a character who is completely opposite to another character. Their differences allow the reader to understand each one better.
What is a direct presentation?
A direct presentation is a way we learn about the characters, when the author tells the reader explicitly what a character is like, or another character tells what the character is like.
What is an indirect presentation.
An indirect presentation is a way we learn about the characters, when the author shows the character in action and the reader has to figure out what the character is like based on what he/she thinks, says, or does.
What is a protagonist?
A protagonist is the central character in the conflict, not necessarily the “good guy.”
What is an antagonist?
An antagonist in the force against the protagonist, not necessarily “evil.” The antagonist could be a person, thing, society, traits of own character, or nature.
What are the seven points of a plot chart (in order from start to finish)?
-Antecedent Action -Exposition -Initial Incident -Rising Action (suspense) -Climax -Denouement (falling action) -Resolution
What is the antecedent action?
The antecedent action is the series of events which take place before the story actually begins (background information).
What is the exposition?
The exposition is the beginning of the story where we are told the “who,” “what,” “where,” and “when” of the story.
