Understanding the Elements of Short Story Fiction

Short Story Terms

Fiction • a story that is not true.

Short Story • A story that can be read in one sitting, has the five parts of the plot, and is a work of fiction.

Plot • the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution

Exposition • the beginning of the story where we find out the setting, characters, and the conflict.

Setting • where and when a story takes place.

Character • Protagonist and Antagonist

Protagonist • the main character or "the good guy."

Antagonist • the character or force that is against the protagonist

Description of Characters: • Dynamic–A character that changes as a result of the action in the story • Static-A character that remains the same throughout the story • Round-The reader sees many sides or traits of a character’s personality • Flat- The reader sees only one side or very few traits of a character.

Characterization • the process of revealing the personality of a character.

Direct Characterization • the author comes out directly and tells the reader about a character’s personality.

Indirect Characterization • When the author allows a character’s actions to tell you about his or her personality.

Conflict • the problem in a story or the struggle between opposing forces.

Internal Conflict • the problem that exists in a character’s mind

External Conflict • a problem outside of a character.

Rising Action • Adds conflict to the problem

Climax • Highest point of interest or turning point in a story

Falling Action • possible solutions to the problem

Resolution • how the story ends

Theme • the central idea or meaning of the story

Irony • the events turn out differently than what is expected

1. Situational Irony • when there is a conflict between the expected outcome and what actually occurs

2. Dramatic Irony • the audience has information the characters on stage do not

3. Verbal Irony • when one thing is said but another is meant

Tone • the author’s attitude towards his or her subject matter

Mood • the reader’s feelings about what he or she has read. • Also known as the “atmosphere” of the story.

Symbolism • something that stands for or represents something else

Foreshadowing • clues as to what will happen later in the story

Flashback • to interrupt the current events to show events that happened previously

Dialogue • a conversation between two or more characters

Third Person Omniscient Point-of-View • an all-knowing and all-seeing narrator

Third Person Limited Point-of View • the narrator is telling a story from a character’s perspective.

First Person Point-of View • the narrator is in the story and is telling the story

Understanding the Elements of Short Story Fiction

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