Short Story Vocab

Question 1

Protagonist

Answer 1

The hero of the story, the main character who often suffers through difficult situation
*gain sympathy of the audience

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

The character who operates opposing the protagonist, is often the cause of suffering for the protagonist

Question 3

Dynamic character

Answer 3

Changes throughout the story

Question 4

Static character

Answer 4

Stays the same through the story and provides a contrast for the dynamic character

Question 5

Stereotypic character

Answer 5

Acts in an absolutely expected and predictable way, possesses the qualities of a larger group.

Question 6

Plot

Answer 6

What happens in the story, intended to set up and create the conflict

Question 7

Conflict

Answer 7

The problem the protagonist faces, usually caused by the antagonist

Question 8

Internal conflict

Answer 8

The protagonist against himself or herself

Question 9

External conflict

Answer 9

The protagonist against the antagonist or nature

Question 10

Exposition

Answer 10

First step in plot structure, where characters and setting are introduced

Question 11

Rising action

Answer 11

Second step in plot Structure where conflict is introduced

Question 12

Climax

Answer 12

Highest point of action

Question 13

Denoument

Answer 13

Fixes/resolves conflict

Question 14

Setting

Answer 14

The time and place in which a story takes place

Question 15

Theme

Answer 15

The central idea the author wishes to convey

Question 16

Tone

Answer 16

The authors attitude towards the subject

Question 17

Mood

Answer 17

Atmosphere, the readers attitude or feelings

Question 18

First person

Answer 18

I and me

the author is the character

Question 19

Third person

Answer 19

He and she

the author is watching and reporting on what is happening

Question 20

Foreshadowing

Answer 20

The author gives hints or clues as to what will eventually happen in the plot

Question 21

Irony

Answer 21

When something occurs which is the opposite of what was expected to occur

Question 22

Verbal irony

Answer 22

A character says the opposite of what he or she means

Question 23

Situational irony

Answer 23

The reader expects one thing to happen but the opposite occurs

Question 24

Dramatic irony

Answer 24

The reader knows something that the characters do not

Question 25

What are the five characteristics of a short story

Answer 25

1 Be complete by it’s self.
2 Be able to be read in one sitting.
3 Have every word used for important effect.
4 Have a good opening sentence that is developed through the work
5 Have no more characters than those necessary for the action