Short Story Literary Terms Review

The central idea of the story

short, fictional narrative which consists of the bare bones of literary elements

Miss Radday failed her math quiz, and I said, "Wow! You are a math genius!"

The author's attitude towards a subject.

the end of the story where everything is nicely finished and tied up

an example would be the movie Ghostbusters

The author tells the reader about a character's personality.

When the author gives clues or hints to events that will occur later in the story

a conflict between an individual and a larger group or culture. Man vs ______

the difference between what is expected and what actually happens

The feeling created in the story suggested by descriptive details.

The point of interest in the story when the character starts his/her journey

When the reader knows something the other characters do not.

We expect the red-hair girl with the big orange bow and bag boy to go on a date, but they don't

The time and place a story happens

The reader has to figure out a character's personality based on actions and dialogue

a conflict between two people or groups of people. Man vs _______

The lesson the author wants you to learn by the end of the story. Usually a fable.

An object or image that represents itself and something else and larger idea. Ex: Dove is a bird and represents peace

The part of the story after the climax, but before the story ends.

a object or image that repeats throughout a story or poem.

When a person says one thing, but means something else; sarcasm

The sequence of events that tell a story

an example of this conflict would be the movie Sharknado (tornado with sharks)

A pair of characters who share traits but are used to show differences

A character who stays the same no matter what happens in the story

In a horror film, we know if the girl goes into the dark room, she is going to die.

This is a character who changes because of a story's events

The highest point of interest in the story when the character faces the conflict

this is a struggle within a character who has to make a tough decision

When the reader expects something to happen, but another thing happens instead.

this is a struggle between two opposing forces

A character who represents a hype of human nature; stereotype

The character who tries to prevent the main character from succeeding

The beginning of the story where we learn the characters, conflict and setting.

central character in a work of literature; usually called the main character

a character who has many personality traits

the perspective from which the story is told. Can be 1st or 3rd, omniscient or limited.

Series of events that leads to the climax

a character who only has one or two personality traits