Short Story Unit Literary Terms & Definitions

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

Definitions Definitions

Ms. BridgesMs. Bridges

English 9English 9

Elements of Plot Elements of Plot

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

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

Considered the “introduction.”Considered the “introduction.”

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.

Narrative HookNarrative Hook

The first incident The first incident that occurs to help that occurs to help develop the plot. develop the plot. It is the “hook” It is the “hook” that makes you that makes you want to keep want to keep reading the story. reading the story.

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. The main point of action in a story. The main conflict is typically resolved after this conflict is typically resolved after this point.point.

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.

The resolution is sometimes The resolution is sometimes referred to as referred to as dénouementdénouement..

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.


Action

Rising

Climax

Falling

Action

Resolution

Plot CurvePlot Curve

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Time

Act

ion

ConflictConflict

Internal Internal Conflict:Conflict: A conflict that A conflict that occurs within occurs within a character’s a character’s mind. mind.

Example: Example: man vs. man vs.

himselfhimself

I can’t believe

what I just heard

out about Jill, my

best friend! If I

tell her it could

ruin our

friendship, but if I

don’t then she

might hate me for

keeping secrets.

What do I do?

Conflict Conflict

External Conflict:External Conflict: A conflict that A conflict that occurs between a character occurs between a character and an outside force. and an outside force.

Examples include:Examples include:man vs. manman vs. manman vs. natureman vs. natureman vs. societyman vs. societyman vs. supernaturalman vs. supernaturalman vs. technologyman vs. technology

CharacterizationCharacterization

Static Character:Static Character: A character who A character who does NOT changedoes NOT change throughout the throughout the story. story. ((Hint: Hint: SStatic = tatic = sstays the tays the ssame)ame)

Dynamic Character:Dynamic Character: A character A character who who changeschanges throughout the story. throughout the story. (Hint: (Hint: DDynamic = ynamic = DDifferent)ifferent)


Flat Character:Flat Character: A A character with only a character with only a couple characteristics; is couple characteristics; is often the often the stereotypicalstereotypical character in a story. character in a story.

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


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

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

Methods of Methods of CharacterizationCharacterization

Direct Characterization:Direct Characterization: The narrator The narrator makes direct comments about the makes direct comments about the character. i.e. “She is friendly.” character. i.e. “She is friendly.”

Indirect Characterization:Indirect Characterization: We learn We learn about the character through her about the character through her speech, thoughts, feelings, actions, speech, thoughts, feelings, actions, physical appearance and through physical appearance and through other characters’ thoughts, feelings, other characters’ thoughts, feelings, and speech about her. and speech about her.

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

Point of ViewPoint of View

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

story and uses “I” or “me” when telling the story. story and uses “I” or “me” when telling the story. 22ndnd Person POV: Person POV: The narrator brings “you”, the The narrator brings “you”, the

reader, into the story when telling the story. reader, into the story when 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.

MoodMood

The feeling or atmosphere that The feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates for the reader the writer creates for the reader

Conveyed through descriptive Conveyed through descriptive words, the setting, and figurative words, the setting, and figurative language.language.

Types of mood: scary, romantic,Types of mood: scary, romantic,

violent, hopeful, etc. violent, hopeful, etc.

SuspenseSuspense

The excitement or tension a The excitement or tension a reader feels when reading.reader feels when reading. I wonder what will happen next?I wonder what will happen next?

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 lightning Thunder and lightning A new suspicious character A new suspicious character

introduced (purpose unknown at the introduced (purpose unknown at the time)time)

FlashbackFlashback

Flashback– a conversation, an Flashback– a conversation, an episode, or an event that happened episode, or an event that happened before the beginning of the story. before the beginning of the story.

Often flashbacks interrupt the flow Often flashbacks interrupt the flow of a story to give the reader of a story to give the reader information to help in understanding information to help in understanding the character’s present situation.the character’s present situation.

AllusionAllusion An indirect reference to another literary An indirect reference to another literary

work or to a person, place, event, or work or to a person, place, event, or some other branch of popular culture. some other branch of popular culture.

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.

Examples: the American flag Examples: 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 = Peace = Peace EagleEagle = freedom, liberty, strength = freedom, liberty, strength SpringSpring = youth, re-birth, birth, life = youth, re-birth, birth, life AutumnAutumn = middle age, maturity = middle age, maturity WinterWinter = death, dying, old age = death, dying, old age WaterWater = birth, re-birth, renewal, = birth, re-birth, renewal,

purificationpurification


RoseRose = love, beauty = love, beauty SunriseSunrise = new start, beginning = new start, beginning Full moon Full moon = danger, bizarre behavior= danger, bizarre behavior SleepSleep = death = death SkullSkull = death = death ForestForest = place of testing or challenge = place of testing or challenge LightLight = good, hope, freedom = good, hope, freedom


DarknessDarkness = evil, magic, fear, unknown = evil, magic, fear, unknown RedRed = anger, passion = anger, passion BlueBlue = happiness, peacefulness, = happiness, peacefulness,

sadness, intellectsadness, intellect GreenGreen = jealousy, wealth, growth = jealousy, wealth, growth BlackBlack = death, evil = death, evil WhiteWhite = purity, innocence = purity, innocence

Symbols in LogosSymbols in Logos

Can you find the symbols in these Can you find the symbols in these popular logos?popular logos?









Figurative LanguageFigurative Language Figurative language is language that Figurative language is language that

communicates ideas beyond the ordinary communicates ideas beyond the ordinary literal meanings of words.literal meanings of words.

Some examples include: Some examples include: personification, personification, hyperbole, simile,hyperbole, simile, and and metaphormetaphor..

SimileSimile

Simile- a comparison between two unlike Simile- a comparison between two unlike things using the words things using the words likelike or or as.as.

Examples: Life is Examples: Life is likelike a box of chocolates; a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.you never know what you’re gonna get.

He’s dumb He’s dumb asas a rock. a rock.

MetaphorMetaphor Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a

comparison between two things that have comparison between two things that have something in common. Unlike similes, something in common. Unlike similes, metaphors do not use the words metaphors do not use the words likelike or or as, as, but make comparisons directly.but make comparisons directly.

Example: “All the world’s a stage, And all Example: “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.”the men and women merely players.”

-- William Shakespeare, -- William Shakespeare, from from As You Like As You Like

ItIt

PersonificationPersonification Personification is a figure of speech in Personification is a figure of speech in

which human qualities are attributed to an which human qualities are attributed to an object, animal, or idea.object, animal, or idea.

““The grey-eyed morn’ smiles on the The grey-eyed morn’ smiles on the frowning night…”frowning night…”

--William Shakespeare, --William Shakespeare, from Romeo and Julietfrom Romeo and Juliet

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

The use of words whose sounds suggest The use of words whose sounds suggest their meanings. their meanings.

Examples include: Examples include: powpow, , buzzbuzz, and , and crunchcrunch

AlliterationAlliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the sounds at the beginningbeginning of words. of words.

Examples: Examples: PPeter eter PPiper iper ppicked a icked a ppeck of eck of ppickled ickled ppeppers.eppers.

SSally ally ssells ells ssea ea sshells by the hells by the ssea ea sshore.hore.

HyperboleHyperbole

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

Example: She’s as big as a house!Example: She’s as big as a house! I called you a million times last night!I called you a million times last night!

IronyIrony Irony is an implied Irony is an implied discrepancydiscrepancy between between

what is what is apparentapparent and what is and what is realityreality. . It refers to a contrast between It refers to a contrast between

appearance and actuality.appearance and actuality. There are three different types of irony.There are three different types of irony.

Dramatic ironyDramatic irony Situational ironySituational irony Verbal ironyVerbal irony

Situational IronySituational Irony

Situational Irony is a Situational Irony is a discrepancydiscrepancy between the between the expectedexpected results and results and the the actualactual results. results.

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 Jim Fixx, who did much to popularize jogging as a form of popularize jogging as a form of healthy exercise in his 1977 book healthy exercise in his 1977 book The Complete Book of Running,The Complete Book of 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) sedentary, unhealthy lifestyles) while out jogging. while out 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.

Verbal IronyVerbal Irony

Verbal irony is when an author Verbal irony is when an author says says one thingone thing and means and means anotheranother..

Verbal irony is often sarcastic in nature.Verbal irony is often sarcastic in nature. Example:Example: A man yelling, “I’m not mad!!!” A man yelling, “I’m not mad!!!”

as his face is turning red and his voice is as his face is turning red and his voice is rising. rising.

Verbal Irony Verbal Irony ExampleExample

““I'm an expert at this sort of thing!”I'm an expert at this sort of thing!” ““Yes. Like you expertly drove into the wall Yes. Like you expertly drove into the wall

last time you did that.”last time you did that.” (This case imagines that two people are (This case imagines that two people are

driving. The first person is claiming that driving. The first person is claiming that they are very good or skilled in the task, they are very good or skilled in the task, such as parallel parking, whereas the such as parallel parking, whereas the second person is doubting the first's ability.) second person is doubting the first's ability.)

Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony

Dramatic irony is when the Dramatic irony is when the audience audience knowsknows something something that a that a character in the storycharacter in the story does not does not knowknow..

Dramatic Irony ExampleDramatic Irony Example

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.

Dramatic Irony ExampleDramatic Irony Example

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.

What type of What type of ironyirony is this?: is this?: ““What a beautiful day outside!” What a beautiful day outside!”

(said while a thunderstorm rages outside)(said while a thunderstorm rages outside) It’s ironic that the man who reported the It’s ironic that the man who reported the

crime to police is actually the murderer!crime to police is actually the murderer!

AllegoryAllegory

Allegory - the use of fictional figures, Allegory - the use of fictional figures, objects, and actions to express truths objects, and actions to express truths about human experiencesabout human experiences

DictionDiction

A writer’s or speaker’s choice of words A writer’s or speaker’s choice of words and their way of arranging them in and their way of arranging them in sentences.sentences.

StyleStyle

Style is the particular way in which a piece Style is the particular way in which a piece of literature is written.of literature is written.

Style is not Style is not whatwhat is said, but is said, but howhow it’s said. it’s said. Examples include: formal, conversational, Examples include: formal, conversational,

journalistic, poetic, or wordy.journalistic, poetic, or wordy.

ToneTone

Tone – the attitude a writer Tone – the attitude a writer takes toward a subject of a takes toward a subject of a work. work.

For example: sarcastic, For example: sarcastic, mild, witty, angry, dark, mild, witty, angry, dark, humoroushumorous

ConnotationConnotation Connotation refers to the attitudes and Connotation refers to the attitudes and

feelings associated with a word. feelings associated with a word. Connotation may be positive or negative.Connotation may be positive or negative.

For example, For example, enthusiasticenthusiastic has a positive has a positive connotation, while connotation, while rowdyrowdy has a negative has a negative one.one.

ConnotationConnotation This girl’s outfit is:This girl’s outfit is: HotHot FlyFly Slammin’Slammin’ Bangin’Bangin’ None of the connotations of the words are None of the connotations of the words are

their literal meanings. These words are all their literal meanings. These words are all used to describe how stylish the girl’s outfit is.used to describe how stylish the girl’s outfit is.

CConnotation = onnotation = cculturally ulturally ccreated meaningreated meaning

DenotationDenotation

Denotation refers to the literal or Denotation refers to the literal or dictionary meaning of a word.dictionary meaning of a word.

DDenotation = enotation = DDictionaryictionary

Genres of LiteratureGenres of Literature• Different types of writing shape a theme or Different types of writing shape a theme or

topic differently. topic differently.

Genres include…Genres include…

• Classic literatureClassic literature• Contemporary literatureContemporary literature• Historical fictionHistorical fiction• FantasyFantasy• Science fictionScience fiction• FolkloreFolklore• MythologyMythology• PoetryPoetry• Short StoriesShort Stories• DramaDrama• ComedyComedy

ThemeTheme

The central idea or a perception about life The central idea or a perception about life that the writer conveys to the reader. that the writer conveys to the reader.

A theme must be written in a complete A theme must be written in a complete sentence, and must apply to the story as well sentence, and must apply to the story as well as to life in general.as to life 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 over the course of the story? over the course of the story?

ThemeTheme

““There are some things that can There are some things that can never be fixed or repaired, even if never be fixed or repaired, even if you spend a lifetime trying..” you spend a lifetime trying..”

““The cruelest lies are often told in The cruelest lies are often told in silence.”silence.”

““Money does not guarantee Money does not guarantee happiness.” happiness.”

Universal ThemesUniversal Themes

Recurring themes (such as good versus Recurring themes (such as good versus evil) that appear frequently across evil) that appear frequently across traditional and contemporary works.traditional and contemporary works.• LoveLove• Abuse of powerAbuse of power• Coming of ageComing of age• Effects of the pastEffects of the past• CourageCourage

What is the theme of this What is the theme of this film?film?

Historical ContextHistorical Context

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

Ambiguity Ambiguity

Allows for two or more simultaneous Allows for two or more simultaneous interpretations of a word, phrase, action, interpretations of a word, phrase, action, or situationor situation

Many times authors end their stories with Many times authors end their stories with a sentence which could be interpreted in a sentence which could be interpreted in more than one way. more than one way. See “The Story of an See “The Story of an Hour.”Hour.”

Many poems contain ambiguityMany poems contain ambiguity

Subtlety Subtlety Subtleties are delicate hints or clues for Subtleties are delicate hints or clues for

the reader within a textthe reader within a text They are often difficult to perceive or They are often difficult to perceive or

understand and can foreshadow understand and can foreshadow Authors use subtleties for many reasons.Authors use subtleties for many reasons. ExampleExample: In a mystery, the author may : In a mystery, the author may

use “subtleties” to help the reader use “subtleties” to help the reader discover the perpetrator of the crimediscover the perpetrator of the crime

ContradictionContradiction Direct opposition between things Direct opposition between things

compared; inconsistency.compared; inconsistency. Within a text, contradictions may exist Within a text, contradictions may exist

within characters or setting.within characters or setting. In In The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby, Gatsby is a wealthy , Gatsby is a wealthy

man surrounded by many people; man surrounded by many people; however, the fact that he is actually however, the fact that he is actually lonely, despite the situation is a lonely, despite the situation is a contradiction.contradiction.

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Short Story Unit Literary Terms & Definitions

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