Short Story Terms

English 9 Short Story Terms Introduction: The beginning of a story: includes the exposition and the initiating event. Exposition: Background information about the characters, setting, and situation. Initiating Event: The point in the story when the problem begins/is introduced. Rising Action: the events that happen after the initiating event and lead up to the climax. Climax: The turning point for the protagonist; things are either changing for the worse or for the better: the reader either finds out how the conflict is going to be resolved or the conflict is resolved. Falling Action: The events that happen after the climax and lead to the conclusion of the story. Resolution/Conclusion: The ending of the story. All loose ends are usually tied up and the last pieces of information are given to the reader. Internal Conflict: A conflict inside one’s mind: also known as a “Man vs. Self” conflict. External Conflict: A conflict between a human and another external force: also known as “Man vs. man” or “Man vs. Environment” Atmosphere: The emotional setting of the story: How you feel when you read it and how the characters feel. Setting: The physical setting of the story is the time and place in which it takes place. Theme: A statement that the author is making about life. Protagonist: The main character in the story. It is often the “good guy”, but is not always. Antagonist: The character or thing that opposes the protagonist. Round Character: A character that the reader knows a lot about. They seem very life-like and behave as if they were people in the real world. Flat Character: A character that the reader knows little about. They are not a main character and may not seem realistic. Static Character: A Character who does not change throughout the story. They learn no lessons and do not develop their character. Dynamic Character: A character who changes throughout the course of the story. They learn from their mistakes and develop as a person. Stock or Stereotype Character: A character who fits into a “type”. Nothing about them is original. These types of characters are the same in several different stories. Onomatopoeia: A word whose sound imitates its meaning. Imagery: When the author makes something realistic by appealing to the reader’s five senses. They describe the sight, smell, taste, sound, and feel of a specific moment. Symbolism: When one thing is used to represent another thing. Flashback: When the author jumps back in time to explain a previous event. It should help to make other events in the story make more sense. This is often part of the exposition. Foreshadowing: When an author hints at something to come in the story. Irony: When there is a contrast between what is expected or meant and what actually happens. Situational Irony: When what is expected is not what happens. Dramatic Irony: When the reader knows something that the characters do not. Verbal Irony: When a character says something, but means the opposite. First Person: The narrator, “I”, is a character and is telling his or her own story. Second Person: The story is told about “you”; the author of the story addresses the reader. Third Person Omniscient: The story is told by a narrator outside of the events of the story. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all, or many, of the characters and can enter their minds at any time. The story is told about “he”, “she”, and “they”. Third Person Limited: The story is told by a narrator outside of the events of the story. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character, or of none. The story is told about “he”, “she”, and “they”.