1. LITERARY TERMS
SHORT STORIES

2. Fiction- writing that comes from the author’s imagination
Short story- a work of fiction that can be read in one sitting
Narrator- the teller of the story; sometimes a character; sometimes an outside voice created by the writer

3. Character- a person or animal in a literary work
Plot- the sequence of events in a literary work
Setting- where and when the story takes place
Conflict- a struggle between opposing forces

4. External conflict- a struggle with a character and and outside force (i.e. man vs. man; man vs. nature; man vs. society, etc.)
Internal conflict- when a character struggles within himself or herself, such as to make a decision

5. Foreshadowing- when the author hints about something that will occur later
Symbol- a person, place, or thing that stands for or represents something beyond itself
(i. e. crown = royalty or power)

6. Theme- the message or insight about life or human nature that the writer presents to the reader
Irony- the contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually exists or happens
Point of view- the perspective from which a story is told

7. 3 Types
First person- told by one of the characters using the word “I”
Third-person limited- told by a narrator who stands outside the story and reports the thoughts and experiences of only one character

8. Third-person omniscient- told by a narrator who stands outside of the story and reports the thoughts and experiences of many or all of the characters
5 Parts of the Plot
1. Exposition- beginning of story; introduces setting, characters, and conflict

9. Rising action- complications arise; suspense builds as the characters struggle to solve their problems; the plot develops
Climax- highest point of suspense or interest; the outcome of the conflict becomes clear

10. Falling action- occurs after the climax; shows the effects of the climax
Resolution- end of the story; explains how the conflict is resolved