Short Story Elements
second person point of view
where the narrator addresses the reader using the pronoun "you"
theme
The central message in a literary work.
climax
The point in a play, novel, short story, or narrative poem at which the conflict reaches its greatest intensity and is then resolved.
symbolism
The practice of using symbols.
plot
The sequence of events in a story
imagery
The use of language to portray sensory experiences, or experiences of the five senses
situational irony
when something happens that is the reverse of what you expected
verbal irony
when the name or description of something implies the opposite of the truth
dramatic irony
when the reader or audience member is aware of something that the characters are not aware of
first person point of view
where the narrator is a character in the story who describes things from his or her own perspective and refers to himself or herself as "I"
third person limited point of view
where the narrator is not a character in the story but the narrator can describe the experiences and thoughts of only one character in the story
third person omniscient point of view
where the narrator is not one of the characters and is able to describe the experiences and thoughts of every character in the story.
minor character
A character who does not play a large role in a story.
major character
A main or important character
idiom
An expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words.
personification
Describing nonhuman animals, objects, or ideas as though they possess human qualities or emotions.
hyperbole
Extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect; an extravagant statement that is not meant to be taken literally.
tone
The author's attitude toward the subject matter
metaphor
The comparison of two unlike things to illuminate a particular quality or aspect of one of those things.
dialogue
The conversation between characters in a work of literature.
setting
The environment in which a story takes place, including the time period, the location, and the physical characteristics of the surroundings.
mood
The feelings the reader gets from a work of literature.
onomatopoeia
The formation or use of words whose sounds imitate the sounds of what they describe
protagonist
The main or central character of a work of literature.
characterization
The means through which an author reveals a character's personality.
antagonist
The opponent or enemy of the main character
point of view
The perspective from which a story is told.
flashback
When a writer inserts a scene into a story that occurred before the present time in the story.
foreshadowing
When an author provides clues or hints about something that is going to happen later in the story.
alliteration
When two or more words in a group of words begin with the same letter or group of letters.
simile
When two unlike things are compared—using like or as—in order to illuminate a particular quality or aspect of one of those things.
aside
Words spoken to the audience by a character in a drama that are not supposed to be heard by the other characters on stage.
static character
a character who does not undergo a significant change over the course of a story
dynamic character
a character who undergoes a significant internal change over the course of a story.
conflict
a struggle between opposing forces.
symbol
an object, setting, event, animal, or person that on one level is itself, but that has another meaning as well.
satire
the use of humor and wit with a critical attitude, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule for exposing or denouncing the frailties and faults of mankind's activities and institutions, such as folly, stupidity, or vice. This usually involves both moral judgment and a desire to help improve a custom, belief, or tradition.
figurative language
use words in some way other than for their literal meanings to make a comparison, add emphasis, or say something in a fresh and creative way.