Short Story Lit Terms

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Allusion

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is an indirect reference to another literary work or to a famous person place or event

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Caricature

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is achieved by comic, ludicrous, or gross exaggeration of parts or characteristics. In literature it most often represents an outrageous and unrealistic verbal portrait of a character.

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Character

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are the people who take part in the action of a story or novel. Sometimes it can be the animals or imaginary creatures, such as monsters from outer space.

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Flat

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Are defined by a single idea or quality.

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Round

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have three dimensional complexity of real people

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Dynamic

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They change, weather for better or for worse, in response to circumstance or experience

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Static

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do not change significantly over the course of a work no matter what action takes place

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Characterization

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Refers to the methods a writer uses to develop characters-either directly or indirectly. Four basic methods are through (1) description of the characters physical appearance, (2) a character speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions, (3) the speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of other characters, and (4) direct comments about a character.

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Diction

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A writer or speaker's choice of words and way of arranging words in sentences.

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Dialect

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is a regional variety of language distinguished by features of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

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Denotation

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A word's literal and primary meaning, independent of any connotations; the "dictionary definition" of the word.

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Connotation

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Emotional associations or secondary meanings of the word that a given individual might attach to it.

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Figurative language

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communicates ideas beyond the ordinary, literal meanings of work. Special types include personification, simile, and metaphor.

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Metaphor

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is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that have something in common. Unlike similes, they do not use the word like or as.

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Personification

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a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object animal or idea.

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Hyperbole

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Figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or for humorous effect.

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Onomatopoeia

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Use of the words that suggests sound, such as pow, buzz and crunch.

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Flashback

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A conversation, an episode, or any event that happened before the beginning of the story. Often it interrupts the chronological flow of a story to give the reader information to help in an understanding of a characters present situation.

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Foreshadowing

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A writers habit or close to indicate events and situations that will occur in a later plot. the use of this technique creates suspense while at the same time preparing the reader for what is to come.

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Imagery

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It consists of descriptive words and phrases that re-create sensory experiences for the reader. usually appeals to one or more of the five senses-sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch-to help the reader imagine exactly what is being described.

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Inference

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The conclusion a reader draws from what is implied but not directly stated by the author. The reader to derives this from facts or premises presented in the story.

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Irony

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A special kind of contrast between appearance and reality , is usually one in which reality is the opposite from what it seems.

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Verbal irony

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Occurs when someone knowingly exaggerates or says one thing and means another.

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Dramatic irony

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When the reader or viewer knows something that a character does not know.

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Situational irony

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Is the contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens.

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Mood

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In a literary work, the feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates for the reader. Descriptive words, the setting and figurative language contribute, as do the sound and rhythm of the language used.

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Plot

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The sequence of events in a story. Generally built around a conflict, it tells what happens, when, and to whom. It may include up to six stages: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and then you meant. All six stages are not present in every story.

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Exposition

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In fiction, the structure of the plot normally begins with this. In the early part of the story, it sets the tone, establishes the setting, introduces the characters, and gives the reader important background information.

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Setting

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Time and place of action of the story

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Conflict

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Struggle between opposing forces.

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External conflict

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Involves a character pitted against an outside force, such as nature, a physical obstacle, or another character.

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Internal conflict

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Is one that occurs within a character.

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Inciting incident

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The complication or something that happens to begin the rising action. It is a single events that signals the beginning of the struggle with the main conflict.

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Rising action

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Refers to the events of the story that move the plot along by adding complications or expanding the conflict. Usually build suspense to a climax, or turning point.

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Climax

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Also the turning point. The moment when the readers interest any motional intensity reaches the highest point. Usually occurs towards the end of the story, after the reader has understood the conflict and gotten emotionally involved with the characters. It sometimes, but not always, points to the resolution of the conflict.

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Falling action

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Includes the events happening after and as a result of the climax and leading to the resolution of the story.

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Resolution

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Occurs when the protagonist solves the main conflict or someone solves it for him or her. The action stops, but the story may continue with the Denouement.

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Denouement

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At this point in the story, any remaining secrets, questions, or mysteries that remain after the resolution takes place are reflected upon or explained by the narrator or the author. Sometimes the ideas presented encourage the reader to think about the theme or future possibilities for the characters.

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Antagonist

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Is usually the principal character in opposition to the protagonist, or hero of the drama.

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Protagonist

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Is the central character or hero in a narrative or drama, usually the one with whom the audience tends to identify.

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Point of view

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Refers to the perspective from which events in a story or novel are told. Usually either first person or third person.

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First person

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The narrator is a character in the story and tells everything in his or her own words.

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Third Person

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The story is told by a narrative voice outside the action, not by one of the characters.

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Third person omniscient

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All knowing point of view. Narrator sees into the minds of more than one character.

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Third person limited

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Narrator tells only what one character thinks, feels, and observes.

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Realistic fiction

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creates a truthful imitation of ordinary life

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Suspense

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Excitement or tension that readers feels as they become involved in a story and eager to know the outcome.

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Symbol

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A person, place, activity, or object that stands for something beyond itself. For example, a dove representing peace

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Theme

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Is the main idea in a work of fiction. It is a perception about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader. In most cases, it is not stated directly but must be inferred from the characters and situations in a story.

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Tone

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Is the attitude a writer takes toward a subject.