Lit/LA 7 & 8

Matis

Short Stories - Literary Elements/Terms

You are required to know the definitions of each literary term listed below as we read,
study, and discuss short stories. You should expect them to appear on quizzes,
worksheets, questions, and tests.
Plot is made up of these parts:
Exposition: The first part of a story; introduces characters, setting, and conflict by
providing pertinent background information
Inciting Incident: Precise moment in the story where the conflict begins
Complication(s): Events that further develop and complicate the conflict
Climax: The point in the story where the nature of the conflict changes in some
profound way -- often referred to as the turning point
Resolution: The point in the story where the conflict(s) is/are resolved, and the
story is brought to a close.
Conflict: a struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces, or emotions
Internal conflict: A struggle between opposing needs, desires, or emotions within
a single character.
External conflict: When a character struggles against an outside force: another
character, society as a whole, or something in nature.
Theme: An insight or truth revealed by a work of literature. The theme is different than
the subject or topic, which can usually be expressed in a word or two: old age, ambition,
love. The theme is the message the writer wishes us to discover about that subject.
Two clues to consider when uncovering theme:
1. The way the main character changes throughout the story.
2. The way in which the conflict is resolved.
Two types of characters:
Protagonist: The main character that moves the action of the story forward. The
protagonist is often, but not always, the hero.
Antagonist: The character or force that blocks the protagonist. The antagonist is
often, but not always, the villain.
Symbol: A person, place, thing, or event that stands both for itself and for something
beyond itself.
Setting: The time, place, and environment of a story or play.
Situational Irony: When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or
appropriate.
Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows information that the characters in the
story/play do not.
Figurative Language includes:
Simile: An indirect comparison between two seemingly unlike things by using a

Lit/LA 7 & 8

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connective word such as like, as, than, or resembles.

Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unlike things without using a
connective word such as like, as, than, or resembles.
Personification: A type of metaphor in which a nonhuman thing or quality is
given human characteristics, qualities, or traits.

Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration

Imagery: Language that appeals to the five senses: sight, smell, sound, touch,
taste. Think of imagery as, painting a picture with words. Imagery is another
words for sensory details.
Foreshadowing: The authors use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the
plot. Foreshadowing is primarily used to arouse the readers curiosity and increase
suspense.
Suspense: The uncertainty or anxiety the reader feels about what is going to happen
next in a story.
Point-of-view: the narrators position in relation to a story being told
Third-person limited point of view: The narrator, who plays no part in the
story, zooms in on the thoughts and feelings of one character. Uses pronouns
like he, she, they
Third-person omniscient point of view: When the narrator plays no part in
the story but is able to tell the reader what all of the characters are thinking and
feeling as well as what is happening in other places. Uses pronouns like he, she
they
First person: The narrator, using the first person pronoun I, is a character in
the story. The readers hear and see only what the narrator hears and sees.
Second person: The narrator tells the story to another character or talks
directly to the audience; uses the pronoun you
Inference: a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning
I like to think of an inference in this way: Even though the author doesnt
directly tell me, I can infer that . . . because . . .
How

do you make inferences about characters?

A characters appearance
A characters speech or inner thoughts
A characters actions
A characters interactions with others or reaction to others