Short Story Vocab Flashcards
Protagonist
The hero of the story, the main character who often suffers through difficult situation
*gain sympathy of the audience
Antagonist
The character who operates opposing the protagonist, is often the cause of suffering for the protagonist
Dynamic character
Changes throughout the story
Static character
Stays the same through the story and provides a contrast for the dynamic character
Stereotypic character
Acts in an absolutely expected and predictable way, possesses the qualities of a larger group.
Plot
What happens in the story, intended to set up and create the conflict
Conflict
The problem the protagonist faces, usually caused by the antagonist
Internal conflict
The protagonist against himself or herself
External conflict
The protagonist against the antagonist or nature
Exposition
First step in plot structure, where characters and setting are introduced
Rising action
Second step in plot Structure where conflict is introduced
Climax
Highest point of action
Denoument
Fixes/resolves conflict
Setting
The time and place in which a story takes place
Theme
The central idea the author wishes to convey
Tone
The authors attitude towards the subject
Mood
Atmosphere, the readers attitude or feelings
First person
I and me
the author is the character
Third person
He and she
the author is watching and reporting on what is happening
Foreshadowing
The author gives hints or clues as to what will eventually happen in the plot
Irony
When something occurs which is the opposite of what was expected to occur
Verbal irony
A character says the opposite of what he or she means
Situational irony
The reader expects one thing to happen but the opposite occurs
Dramatic irony
The reader knows something that the characters do not
