Short story literary terms

Caricature

A caricature is achieved by Ludicrous, or Gross exaggeration of parts or characteristics. In literature a caricature most often represents an outrageous and unrealistic verbal portrait of a character.

Flashback

A flashback is a conversation, an episode, or an event that happened before the beginning of a story. Often a flashback interrupts the chronological flow of a story to give the reader Information to help in an understanding a character's present situation.

Hyperbole

A hyperbole is a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or for humorous effect.

Metaphor

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

Simile

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things using the words like or as.

Symbol

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

Denotation

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

Diction

A writer or speakers choice of words and way of arranging words in sentences

Antagonist

An antagonist is usually the principle character in opposition to the protagonist, or hero of the drama.

External conflict

An external conflict involves a character pitted against an outside force, such as nature, a physical obstacle, or another character.

Allusion

An illusion is an indirect reference to another literary work or to a famous person, place, or event.

Inference

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

Denouement

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

Characterization

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

Character

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

Dynamic

Dynamic characters change weather for the better or for the worse in response to circumstance or experience

Connotation

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

Falling action

Events happen as a result of the climax and we know that the story will soon end.

Figurative language

Figurative language is language that communicates ideas beyond the ordinary, literal meanings of works. Special types of figurative language include personification, simile, and metaphor.

Flat

Flat characters are types of characters or caricatures defined by a single idea or quality.

Fore Shadowing

Foreshadowing is a writer's habit or clues 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.

Dénouement

French term, pronounced: day-New - moh. The ending. At this point, any remaining secrets, questions or mysteries which are mean after the resolution are solved by the characters or explained by the author. Sometimes the author leaves us to think about the theme or future possibilities for the characters.

Imagery

Imagery consists of descriptive words and phrases that re-create sensory experiences for the reader. Imagery 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.

Mood

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

Third- person limited

In a third- person limited point of view, the narrator tells only what one character thinks, feels, and observes.

Exposition

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

First person

In first-person point of view, the narrator is the character in the story and tells everything in his or her words.

Climax

Often called the turning point, the climax is the moment when the reader's interest and emotional intensity reaches the highest point. The climax usually occurs toward the end of a story, after the reader has understood the conflict and gotten emotionally involved with the characters. The climax sometimes, but not always, points to the resolution of the conflict.

Personification

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

Round

Round characters have the three dimensional complexity of real people

Setting

Setting is the time and place of action of a story.

Exposition

Setting the scene. The writer introduces the characters and setting, providing description and background.

Situational irony

Situational irony is the contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens.

Inciting incident

Something happens to begin the action. A single event usually signals the beginning of the main conflict. The inciting incident is sometimes called "the complication".

Static

Static characters do not change significantly over the course of a work no matter what actions take place.

Resolution

The character solves the main problem/conflict or someone solves it for him or her.

Inciting incident

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

Falling action

The falling action includes the events happening after and as a result of the climax and leading to the resolution of the story.

Climax

The moment of greatest tension in a story. This is often the most exciting event. It is the event that the rising action builds up to and that the falling action follows.

Conflict

The plot of a story always involves some sort of conflict or struggle between opposing forces.

Point of view

The point of view refers to the perspective form which events in a story or novel are told. Point of view is usually either first person or third person.

Resolution

The resolution occurs when the protagonist solves the main problem/ conflict or someone solves it for him or her. The action stops, but the story may continue with the denouement.

Rising action

The rising action refers to the events of the story that move the plot along by adding complications or expanding the conflict. Rising action usually builds suspense to a climax, or turning point.

Plot

The sequence of events in a story is called the plot. Generally built around a conflict, the plot tells what happens, when, and to whom. A story's plot may include up to six stages: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and denouement. All six stages are not present in every story's plot line.

Rising action

The story builds and gets more exciting.

Theme

Theme 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, the theme is not stated directly but must be inferred from the characters and situations in a story.

Tone

Tone is the attitude a writer takes toward a subject.

Verbal irony

Verbal irony occurs when someone knowingly exaggerates or says one thing and means another.

Freytag's pyramid MEMORIZE

(Left bottom all the way up and down 2 denouement at bottom) Exposition Inciting incident Rising action Climax Falling action Resolution Denouement

Internal conflict

An internal conflict is one that occurs within a character.

Dialect

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

Dramatic irony

Dramatic irony is where the reader or viewer knows something that a character does not know.

Third-person omniscient

If a story is told from a third-person omniscient, or all-knowing, point of view, the narrator sees into the minds of more than one character.

Third person

In third-person point of view, a story is told by a narrative voice outside the action, not by one of the characters.

Irony

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

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is the use of words such as pow, buzz, and crunch whose pronunciations suggest their meanings.

Realistic fiction

Realistic fiction is a type of fiction that creates a truthful imitation of ordinary life.

Suspense

Suspense is the excitement or tension that readers feel as they become involved in a story and eager to know the outcome.