Unit One - Short Story Elements

Question 0

Rising action

Answer 0

The excitement is starting to build, characters are dealing with the problem.

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

The characters and setting are explained to the reader.

Question 2

Climax

Answer 2

The most exciting part of the story, usually when things turn around or change.

Question 3

Falling action

Answer 3

Problems are starting to wrap up and become solved.

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

End of the story, problems are usually solved and mysteries are explained.

Question 5

Plot

Answer 5

The basic structure of a story.

Question 6

Conflict

Answer 6

Problem in the story, it is usually resolved.

Question 7

Setting

Answer 7

When and where the story takes place, including time, place, weather, social conditions, and mood.

Question 8

Protagonist

Answer 8

The good guy in the story.

Question 9

Antagonist

Answer 9

The bad guy in the story

Question 10

Theme

Answer 10

A central idea or statement that sums up what the story is about.

Question 11

Point of view

Answer 11

The way the story gets told and who tells it.

Question 12

Foreshadowing

Answer 12

Hints as to what might happen later in the story.

Question 13

Personification

Answer 13

Giving human traits or characteristics to something non-human or non-living. Helps the reader visualize.

Question 14

Simile

Answer 14

A direct comparison of two things using the words like or as.

Question 15

Metaphor

Answer 15

An indirect comparison of two things; implies that one thing is the other.

Question 16

Symbol

Answer 16

A word or object that means something beyond what it is on the literal level.

Question 17

Dramatic irony

Answer 17

When the reader or character(s) knows something but one character does not.

Question 18

Situational Irony

Answer 18

Accidental events occur that seem oddly appropriate to the situation or character.

Question 19

What are the types of conflict?

Answer 19

Internal: a struggle within one’s self; External: a struggle with a force outside one’s self.

Question 20

Man vs. Man

Answer 20

Physical: the leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men, forces of nature, or animals.

Question 21

Man vs. Circumstance

Answer 21

Classical: the leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life

Question 22

Man vs. Society

Answer 22

Social: the leading character struggles against ideas, practices or customs of other people.

Question 23

Man vs. Him/Herself

Answer 23

Psychological: the leading character struggles with him/herself, with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.

Question 24

Flashback

Answer 24

The plot is interrupted to recreate an incident of an earlier time, often used to provide additional info to the reader.

Question 25

Allusion

Answer 25

A casual or implied reference to something in history, a literary work, religion or myth. Used to make a comparison between what was written and something most readers would know about.

Question 26

Hyperbole

Answer 26

An exaggeration used for humorous or dramatic effect.

Question 27

First person

Answer 27

The story is told from the narrator’s point of view.

Question 28

Third Person Omniscient

Answer 28

The story is told by a narrator who is not part of the story but knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters.

Question 29

Third Person Limited

Answer 29

The narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character.