short story literary terms & definitions 2011

Short Story Unit Short Story Unit Literary Terms & Literary Terms &

Definitions Definitions

By Erin SalonaBy Erin Salona

Parts of Plot Parts of Plot

Plot:Plot: The sequence of events in a The sequence of events in a story. story.

Exposition:Exposition: The The basic situation basic situation of of a story—this is where the reader a story—this is where the reader learns the background learns the background information necessary to information necessary to understand the story.understand the story.

Exposition ExampleExposition Example

The reader learns Liz lives in an The reader learns Liz lives in an apartment by herself.apartment by herself.

Liz is 25-years-old.Liz is 25-years-old. Liz is tired from a long day at work as a Liz is tired from a long day at work as a

nurse.nurse. Liz is talking on her cell-phone to her Liz is talking on her cell-phone to her

best friend Julie as she walks to the door best friend Julie as she walks to the door of her own home.of her own home.

Parts of PlotParts of Plot Rising Action: Rising Action: The part of the The part of the

story which occurs between the story which occurs between the exposition and climax. Here is exposition and climax. Here is where conflicts occur which build where conflicts occur which build up the story and make it up the story and make it interesting. interesting.

Rising Action ExampleRising Action Example

Liz hears some strange thumping sounds Liz hears some strange thumping sounds coming from the inside of her apartment coming from the inside of her apartment as she is about to put her key in the door.as she is about to put her key in the door.

Liz tells Julie she hears something.Liz tells Julie she hears something. Julie suggests she calls the police.Julie suggests she calls the police. Liz tells Julie that she was probably Liz tells Julie that she was probably

imagining the sounds but still hears them.imagining the sounds but still hears them.

Parts of PlotParts of Plot

Climax:Climax: The turning point or highest The turning point or highest point of action in a story. point of action in a story. The main The main conflictconflict is typically resolved after this is typically resolved after this place.place. At the At the climaxclimax the protagonist realizes what the protagonist realizes what

has to be done to fix the major conflict of the has to be done to fix the major conflict of the story and then acts on this decision. story and then acts on this decision.

Climax ExampleClimax Example

Liz opens the door to her apartment and Liz opens the door to her apartment and sets her bag by the door.sets her bag by the door.

Her heart jumps when she sees a pair of Her heart jumps when she sees a pair of black shoes peeking out from under her black shoes peeking out from under her living room curtains.living room curtains.

The curtain moves slightly.The curtain moves slightly.

Climax ExampleClimax Example Liz bravely walks up to the curtain and Liz bravely walks up to the curtain and

picks up a heavy candlestick on the way.picks up a heavy candlestick on the way. She strikes the candlestick against the She strikes the candlestick against the

curtain, and at the same time, something curtain, and at the same time, something grabs her hand from behind the curtain.grabs her hand from behind the curtain.

Liz drops the candlestick, and a tall man Liz drops the candlestick, and a tall man with a black mask emerges from behind with a black mask emerges from behind the curtain. the curtain.

Suddenly, her front door is flung open.Suddenly, her front door is flung open.


Falling Action:Falling Action: The part of the The part of the story which occurs after the story which occurs after the climax and before the resolution. climax and before the resolution. Here is where loose ends are Here is where loose ends are tied up toward the end of the tied up toward the end of the story.story.

Falling Action ExampleFalling Action Example

The police emerge, and the masked man The police emerge, and the masked man releases Liz from his grasp.releases Liz from his grasp.

He quickly exits her home through the He quickly exits her home through the open window, but is met with the gun open window, but is met with the gun from a policeman. from a policeman.

Julie had called the police for Liz.Julie had called the police for Liz. Liz realizes many of her possessions are Liz realizes many of her possessions are

knocked over or broken.knocked over or broken.


Resolution:Resolution: The final outcome of The final outcome of the story. the story.

Resolution ExampleResolution Example

The police try to comfort Liz while taking The police try to comfort Liz while taking her statement.her statement.

Liz packs some possessions to take to Liz packs some possessions to take to Julie’s house for the night.Julie’s house for the night.

She decides to invest in a second lock for She decides to invest in a second lock for her door in the morning and to install a her door in the morning and to install a burglar system. She knows it will be burglar system. She knows it will be difficult to continue living in her home.difficult to continue living in her home.


Basic Situation or Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Plot CurvePlot Curve

Exposition

Rising Action

Falling Action

Resolution

FlashbackFlashback

interrupting the interrupting the sequence of sequence of events to include events to include information about information about an event that an event that happened in the happened in the pastpast

What happened before the car crash = a flashback. “Before I rear-ended the car, I was only applying make-up, texting and looking for a song on my I-pod,” explained the sobbing teenager to the police officer.

What happened before the car crash = a flashback. “Before I rear-ended the car, I was only applying make-up, texting and looking for a song on my I-pod,” explained the sobbing teenager to the police officer.

FlashbackFlashback“When I was a young boy growing up on a farm, I had an experience I will never forget. . .”

ConflictConflict

Internal Conflict:Internal Conflict: A conflict that A conflict that occurs within a character’s occurs within a character’s mind. (man vs. himself)mind. (man vs. himself)

Conflict Conflict

External Conflict:External Conflict: A conflict that A conflict that occurs between a character and occurs between a character and an outside force. Man vs. man, an outside force. Man vs. man, man vs. nature, for example.man vs. nature, for example.

CharacterizationCharacterization

Major CharactersMajor Characters:: The most important The most important characters in a story.characters in a story.

The story revolves The story revolves around these around these characters’ lives. characters’ lives.


Minor Characters:Minor Characters: they interact with the they interact with the main characters, but main characters, but the plot does not the plot does not revolve around themrevolve around them


Round Character:Round Character: A character with A character with many qualities and many qualities and personality traits. personality traits.

They sometimes They sometimes experience a conflict experience a conflict and change as a and change as a result. result.

They seem like real They seem like real people.people.


Flat Character:Flat Character:

A character with only a A character with only a couple characteristics/ couple characteristics/

His or her main His or her main purpose is to reveal purpose is to reveal things about other things about other characters or move the characters or move the plot along.plot along.

For exampleFor example: a patient : a patient on a hospital TV showon a hospital TV show

Characterization Characterization

Dynamic Character:Dynamic Character: A character who A character who changeschanges throughout the throughout the story. They are story. They are typically typically major, major, round round characters. characters.


Static Character:Static Character: A A character who character who does does NOT changeNOT change throughout the throughout the story. story.

The Ghost of Christmas Future


Protagonist:Protagonist: The main The main character of a character of a story—often story—often considered to considered to be the hero of be the hero of the story.the story.


Antagonist:Antagonist: The The character who character who frustrates, frustrates, deceives, or deceives, or works against works against the main the main character. character.

Character TraitsCharacter Traits

the characteristics the characteristics of a character that of a character that emerge through emerge through narration and narration and dialoguedialogue

Methods of Methods of CharacterizationCharacterization

Direct Direct Characterization:Characterization: The narrator makes The narrator makes direct comments direct comments about the character. about the character. i.e. “She adores i.e. “She adores kittens.” kittens.” (TELLS)(TELLS)

IndirectIndirect CharacterizationCharacterization We learn about the We learn about the

character through his character through his or her speech, or her speech, thoughts, feelings, thoughts, feelings, actions, physical actions, physical appearance and appearance and through other through other characters’ thoughts, characters’ thoughts, feelings, and speech feelings, and speech about her. about her. (SHOWS)(SHOWS)

All dialogue is All dialogue is indirect indirect

IronyIrony

Situational Irony:Situational Irony: When there is a When there is a contrast between what a reader or contrast between what a reader or character expects and what character expects and what actually exists or happens. actually exists or happens.

Situational IronySituational Irony

Situational Irony ExampleSituational Irony Example

When John Hinckley attempted to When John Hinckley attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, all assassinate President Ronald Reagan, all of his shots initially missed the President; of his shots initially missed the President; however a bullet ricocheted off the bullet-however a bullet ricocheted off the bullet-proof windows of the Presidential proof windows of the Presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest. limousine and struck Reagan in the chest. Thus, the windows made to protect the Thus, the windows made to protect the President from gunfire were partially President from gunfire were partially responsible for his being shot.responsible for his being shot.


In 1974 the Consumer Product Safety In 1974 the Consumer Product Safety Commission had to recall 80,000 of its Commission had to recall 80,000 of its own lapel buttons promoting "toy safety", own lapel buttons promoting "toy safety", because the buttons had sharp edges, because the buttons had sharp edges, used lead paint, and had small clips that used lead paint, and had small clips that could be broken off and subsequently could be broken off and subsequently swallowed.swallowed.


Jim Fixx, who did much to popularize Jim Fixx, who did much to popularize jogging as a form of healthy exercise in jogging as a form of healthy exercise in his 1977 book his 1977 book The Complete Book of The Complete Book of Running,Running, died at the age of 52 of a heart died at the age of 52 of a heart attack (a death associated with attack (a death associated with sedentary, unhealthy lifestyles) while out sedentary, unhealthy lifestyles) while out jogging. jogging.


Alfred Nobel invented the relatively stable Alfred Nobel invented the relatively stable explosive dynamite essentially to prevent explosive dynamite essentially to prevent deaths (such as in mining work which deaths (such as in mining work which relied on the unstable explosives relied on the unstable explosives gunpowder and nitroglycerin), but his gunpowder and nitroglycerin), but his invention was soon taken up as a invention was soon taken up as a weapon in the Franco-Prussian War, weapon in the Franco-Prussian War, among others, causing many deaths. among others, causing many deaths.

IronyIrony

Verbal Irony:Verbal Irony: Saying one thing, but Saying one thing, but meaning something else. . . knowingly meaning something else. . . knowingly exaggerating. (sarcasm) exaggerating. (sarcasm)

Example:Example: Teacher: “I can see from the Teacher: “I can see from the ‘F’ on your paper that you put a lot of ‘F’ on your paper that you put a lot of effort into your assignment.” effort into your assignment.”

Verbal Irony ExampleVerbal Irony Example

“It looks like you put a lot of thought into your outfit. Thanks

for dressing up.”


“Thanks so much!” said the man to the driver of the car.

IronyIrony

Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony: : The audience or The audience or reader knows something another reader knows something another character does not know.character does not know.

Dramatic Irony ExampleDramatic Irony Example: We, the : We, the audience, know that there is a audience, know that there is a surprise party for Carlos; however, surprise party for Carlos; however, Carlos does not know and is surprised Carlos does not know and is surprised to find a room full of friends when he to find a room full of friends when he arrives home.arrives home.

Dramatic Irony ExampleDramatic Irony Example

Although we, the audience, know Bob is in danger of being shot by Steve, poor Bob does

not know Steve is around the corner.

BOBSTEVE


We, the audience, know the identity of Hannah Montana; yet other characters do not know that

Miley Stewart is actually Hannah Montana.


For some reason, nobody could tell that Clark Kent and Superman are the same person. The cape and

no glasses change his identity.


In In TitanicTitanic, we know that the ocean liner is , we know that the ocean liner is going to hit an iceberg and sink but the going to hit an iceberg and sink but the passengers and crew cannot know this. passengers and crew cannot know this. Although we know this from historical Although we know this from historical fact, it is not made explicit to the fact, it is not made explicit to the audience in the story itself. audience in the story itself.


When watching a talk When watching a talk show like show like Jerry Jerry SpringerSpringer, the audience , the audience knows why a person knows why a person has been brought on has been brought on the show. However, the the show. However, the person sitting in the person sitting in the chair does not know chair does not know that he is going to be that he is going to be reunited with a former reunited with a former lover.lover.

NarratorNarrator

Character who Character who tells the story to tells the story to the audiencethe audience

He or she can be He or she can be a character in the a character in the story story

Unreliable NarratorUnreliable Narrator

a narrator who is difficult a narrator who is difficult to trust or believeto trust or believe

usually a narrator who is usually a narrator who is discovered to lie, is discovered to lie, is delusional, or is mentally delusional, or is mentally ill.ill.

He provides the reader He provides the reader with inaccurate or with inaccurate or incomplete informationincomplete information

"It is impossible to say how first the "It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and conceived, it haunted me day and night. . . I think it was his eye! yes, it night. . . I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! One of his eyes resembled was this! One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture--a pale blue eye, with that of a vulture--a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees--very gradually--I made up degrees--very gradually--I made up my mind to take the life of the old my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye man, and thus rid myself of the eye for ever." for ever."

-Edgar Allan Poe, "The Tell-Tale -Edgar Allan Poe, "The Tell-Tale Heart" Heart"

Point of ViewPoint of View

Who is telling the story?Who is telling the story? 11stst Person POV: Person POV: The narrator is a The narrator is a

character in the story and uses “I” or character in the story and uses “I” or “me” when telling the story. “me” when telling the story.

22ndnd Person POV: Person POV: The narrator brings The narrator brings “you”, the reader, into the story when “you”, the reader, into the story when telling the story. telling the story.

Point of ViewPoint of View 33rdrd Person Limited POV: Person Limited POV: The narrator The narrator

tells only what one character thinks, tells only what one character thinks, feels, and observes, and uses “he,” feels, and observes, and uses “he,” “they,” “she,” etc. “they,” “she,” etc.

33rdrd Person Omniscient POV: Person Omniscient POV: The The narrator sees into the minds of more narrator sees into the minds of more than one character when telling the than one character when telling the story– uses “he,” “she,” “they,” etc.story– uses “he,” “she,” “they,” etc.

Point of ViewPoint of View33rdrd Person Objective Point of View: Person Objective Point of View: the unbiased narrator tells what happens the unbiased narrator tells what happens

while only revealing the story's action while only revealing the story's action and dialogue. and dialogue.

The narrator never tells us what the The narrator never tells us what the characters think or feel, remaining a characters think or feel, remaining a detached observer. detached observer.

33rdrd person pronouns are used (he, she, person pronouns are used (he, she, etc.) etc.)

Point of ViewPoint of View

How can the point of view from which the How can the point of view from which the story is told affect the credibility story is told affect the credibility

(believability) of the story?(believability) of the story? Consider: Consider: “The Necklace” is told in 3“The Necklace” is told in 3rdrd

person limited, following Madame person limited, following Madame Loisel’s perspective. What if the story Loisel’s perspective. What if the story was told from Monsieur Loisel’s was told from Monsieur Loisel’s perspective? What would change?perspective? What would change?

SettingSetting

Setting:Setting: Where and when the Where and when the story takes place.story takes place.

Place Place - geographical location. Where is - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place?the action of the story taking place?

Time Time - When is the story taking place? - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)(historical period, time of day, year, etc)

Weather conditionsWeather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?stormy, etc?

Describe the SettingDescribe the Setting

Historical ContextHistorical Context

the way in which a work of literature is the way in which a work of literature is related to the themes and issues of its related to the themes and issues of its historical periodhistorical period

Examples: Examples: a story written in the 1880’s will reflect fewer a story written in the 1880’s will reflect fewer

women’s rightswomen’s rights a story set in the early to mid 1800’s may a story set in the early to mid 1800’s may

exhibit the horrors of slavery exhibit the horrors of slavery

ImageryImagery Mental pictures or images created by the Mental pictures or images created by the

author for the reader author for the reader to show to show rather than rather than tell the events of the story tell the events of the story

Figurative language is often usedFigurative language is often used Imagery relies on the five senses:Imagery relies on the five senses:

SmellSmell Taste Taste TouchTouch HearHear SeeSee

Imagery: SIGHTImagery: SIGHT

The cars crept along The cars crept along like marching antslike marching ants

Green willowsGreen willows Wilted rosesWilted roses The sky looked like The sky looked like

the untouched the untouched canvas of an artist.canvas of an artist.

Silver hue of night Silver hue of night Eyes the color of Eyes the color of

HeavenHeaven

Imagery: SMELLImagery: SMELL

Sweaty clothesSweaty clothes Pungent skinPungent skin Dusty odor of dry Dusty odor of dry

earth earth Aroma of baking Aroma of baking

apple breadapple bread Rotting leaves Rotting leaves Salty beach air Salty beach air

Imagery: TASTEImagery: TASTE Ice-cold strawberriesIce-cold strawberries Tall, frosted glass of Tall, frosted glass of

lemonadelemonade Pink sweetness of Pink sweetness of

watermelon watermelon Salty chipsSalty chips The taste of that first The taste of that first

defeat was bitter defeat was bitter indeed.indeed.

Juicy and tart gumJuicy and tart gum

Imagery: TOUCHImagery: TOUCH Hot, July sunHot, July sun Soft sandSoft sand Sharp briars pulling Sharp briars pulling

my hairmy hair Face hot from Face hot from

embarrassment embarrassment The lake was left The lake was left

shivering by the shivering by the touch of morning touch of morning wind.wind.

Imagery: SOUNDImagery: SOUND

Crackling branchesCrackling branches The eerie silence The eerie silence

was shattered by her was shattered by her scream.scream.

Strum of the guitarStrum of the guitar He could hear the He could hear the

footsteps of doom footsteps of doom nearing.nearing.

Ear-piercing sirensEar-piercing sirens

Foreshadowing Foreshadowing

The use of hints or clues to The use of hints or clues to indicate events and situations indicate events and situations that will occur later in the plot.that will occur later in the plot. Spooky music Spooky music Thunder and lightening Thunder and lightening A new suspicious character introduced (purpose A new suspicious character introduced (purpose

unknown at the time)unknown at the time)

Foreshadowing ExampleForeshadowing Example

The general smiled the quiet smile of one The general smiled the quiet smile of one who has faced an obstacle and who has faced an obstacle and surmounted it with success. “I had to surmounted it with success. “I had to invent a new animal to hunt.” invent a new animal to hunt.”

From From “The Most Dangerous Game”“The Most Dangerous Game”

SuspenseSuspense

The excitement The excitement or tension a or tension a reader feels reader feels when reading.when reading. I wonder what I wonder what

will happen will happen next?next?

Suspense ExampleSuspense Example

Rainsford expressed his surprise. “Is Rainsford expressed his surprise. “Is there big game on this island?”there big game on this island?”

The general nodded. “The biggest.”The general nodded. “The biggest.” ““Oh, it isn’t here naturally, of course. I Oh, it isn’t here naturally, of course. I

have to stock the island.”have to stock the island.” FromFrom “The Most Dangerous Game” “The Most Dangerous Game”

MoodMood

MoodMood is the emotions that you feel while is the emotions that you feel while you are reading. Some literature makes you are reading. Some literature makes you feel you feel sadsad, others , others joyfuljoyful, still others, , still others, angryangry. .

The general atmosphere created by the The general atmosphere created by the author’s words and imagery.author’s words and imagery.

Types of mood: Types of mood: scaryscary, , romanticromantic,,

violentviolent, , hopefulhopeful, , mysteriousmysterious, , joyful. joyful. . .. .

Describe the MOODDescribe the MOOD

ToneTone

Tone - the manner in which Tone - the manner in which written words might be said. For written words might be said. For example: sarcastic, hateful, witty, example: sarcastic, hateful, witty, angryangry

Tone is different from mood in that Tone is different from mood in that a story typically has one mood; a story typically has one mood; whereas, whereas, tone can change a lottone can change a lot throughout a story.throughout a story.

Words That Describe Words That Describe ToneTone

Amused Amused Humorous Humorous Pessimistic Pessimistic Angry Angry Informal Informal Playful Playful Cheerful Cheerful IronicIronic WittyWitty

Horrifying Horrifying Light Light Sad Sad Matter-of-fact Matter-of-fact Serious Serious Formal Formal Suspicious Suspicious Gloomy Gloomy OptimisticOptimistic

Examples of ToneExamples of Tone

Sincere:Sincere: She rose from her chair when I She rose from her chair when I came in and exclaimed with a smile: came in and exclaimed with a smile: "Wow! Nice outfit!""Wow! Nice outfit!"

Sarcastic:Sarcastic: She gave me one look and She gave me one look and said, with a short laugh, "Yeah, right! said, with a short laugh, "Yeah, right! Nice outfit!"Nice outfit!"

Examples of ToneExamples of Tone

Envious:Envious: She glanced at me quickly and She glanced at me quickly and muttered reluctantly, "Um, yeah . . . nice muttered reluctantly, "Um, yeah . . . nice outfit."outfit."

Insulting:Insulting: She looked at me She looked at me incredulously and said, "Eww! Nice incredulously and said, "Eww! Nice outfit!"outfit!"

Genres of LiteratureGenres of Literature

• Different types of writing Different types of writing • Each genre shapes a theme or topic Each genre shapes a theme or topic

differently. Genres include…differently. Genres include…

• Classic literatureClassic literature• Contemporary lit.Contemporary lit.• Historical fictionHistorical fiction• FantasyFantasy• Science fictionScience fiction• FolkloreFolklore

•Mythology•Poetry•Short stories•Dramas•Comedy

ThemeTheme

An observation about life that the writer An observation about life that the writer conveys to the reader. A theme must be conveys to the reader. A theme must be written in a complete sentence and written in a complete sentence and must apply to the story as well as to life must apply to the story as well as to life in general.in general.

A good way to find the theme is to ask A good way to find the theme is to ask yourself the question, yourself the question, what does the main what does the main character learncharacter learn in the course of the story? in the course of the story?

ThemeTheme

Sometimes we must sacrifice Sometimes we must sacrifice something we value in order to something we value in order to save someone we love.save someone we love.

Money does not guarantee Money does not guarantee happiness.happiness.

Love is the worthiest of pursuits.Love is the worthiest of pursuits.

SymbolSymbol

A person, place, thing, or event A person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and for that stands for itself and for something beyond itself as well. something beyond itself as well.

ExamplesExamples: the American flag : the American flag symbolizes freedom, liberty, and love symbolizes freedom, liberty, and love for America.for America.

A wedding band symbolizes_______.A wedding band symbolizes_______. A white flag symbolizes__________.A white flag symbolizes__________.

Symbols in LiteratureSymbols in Literature

DoveDove = = PeacePeace EagleEagle = = freedom, liberty, freedom, liberty,

strengthstrength SpringSpring = = youth, re-birth, birth, youth, re-birth, birth,

lifelife

AutumnAutumn = = middle age, maturitymiddle age, maturity WinterWinter = = death, dying, old agedeath, dying, old age WaterWater = = birth, re-birth, birth, re-birth,

renewal, purificationrenewal, purification


RoseRose = = love, beautylove, beauty SunriseSunrise = = new start, beginning new start, beginning Full moon Full moon = = danger, bizarre danger, bizarre

behaviorbehavior SleepSleep = = deathdeath

SkullSkull = = deathdeath ForestForest = = place of testing or place of testing or

challengechallenge LightLight = = good, hope, freedomgood, hope, freedom


DarknessDarkness = = evil, magic, fear, evil, magic, fear,

unknownunknown RedRed = = anger, passionanger, passion BlueBlue = happiness, = happiness,

peacefulness, peacefulness, sadness, intellectsadness, intellect

GreenGreen = = jealousy, wealth, jealousy, wealth,

growth growth BlackBlack = = death, evil, sin, death, evil, sin,

holiness holiness WhiteWhite = = purity, innocence purity, innocence

short story literary terms & definitions 2011

Education

climax example liz

character traits

rising action example

parts of plot plot

character whodoes

character whochangesthroughout

liz lives

parts of plot climax