Short story terms A fond review Plot Diagram

Short story terms A fond review

Plot Diagram § Exposition § The beginning of a story that introduces characters, setting, tone, and any important background information. § Inciting Moment § An event which introduces the conflict and begins the events of the plot.

Plot Diagram § Rising Action § Events that move the plot along by adding complications or expanding the conflict – builds suspense to the climax of the story. § Climax § The turning point of the story, point of highest tension/interest – may happen towards the end.

Plot Diagram § Falling Action § Occurs after the climax – also called the resolution – conflict is resolved, loose ends tied up. § Dénouement § Also known as the resolution § A French word that literally means “to untie the know” § In America, though, we use the opposite idea and say that we tie up the loose ends § It’s how the story ends

The Plot Diagram Climax Exposition Falling Action Rising Action Denouement Exposition Inciting Moment

Theme / Setting § Theme § A message that the author wants to communicate to the reader about the human condition § Setting § When and where the story takes place

The Human Condition § A series of emotions, events, and experiences shared by most every person that help define what it means to be human § Examples: life, death, growing up, love, heartbreak, looking for happiness, looking for God, guilt, etc.

Protagonist / Antagonist § Protagonist § The main character who should go through a change § Antagonist § The person or force working against the protagonist

Characterization Revealed through… § The character’s physical appearance § The character’s own actions, thoughts and feelings § The thoughts, actions, feelings of a different character toward that character § The narrator’s direct comments about the character “He was a fearless man…”

Types of conflict § § § Man vs. man Man vs. nature Man vs. society § (which often includes Man vs. machine) § Man vs. God/Supernatural § Man vs. self aka Internal Conflict

Point of View § First person – “I” – the narrator is a character in the story § Second-person – when the writing tells the reader what the reader is doing. For example cookbooks, instructions, etc. § Third-person omniscient – “all knowing” narrator reveals thoughts/feelings of more than one character § Third-person limited – reveals thoughts/feelings of only one character

Tone / Mood § Tone § Reveals the feelings of the author toward the subject. § Mood § The feeling or atmosphere of a story created by the author

Simile / Metaphor § Simile § A comparison between two things using “like” or “as” § Metaphor § Making a direct comparison between to things – often using “is”, but not always

Imagery / Personification § Imagery § Description that appeals to one of the five senses § Personification § Giving human qualities to inanimate objects

Symbolism § An object or character which stands for a larger idea in the story

Foreshadowing / Flashback § Foreshadowing § Subtle hints that reveal what will happen later in the story § Flashback § When a story stops, and retells a past event for the purpose of helping the reader better understand the current or a future event

Irony § Verbal Irony § When a speaker says one thing but means the opposite (includes sarcasm) § Dramatic Irony § When the reader or audience knows one thing, but the character does not § Situational Irony § When one thing is expected but the opposite is the result