Literary Terms Short Stories

Plot A series of related events that take the reader from a problem to a solution Includes exposition, narrative hooks, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

Exposition Presents characters, situation, and conflict. Gives important information, such as setting and details to give context to the story.

Narrative Hook The part of the story that draws on our interest and makes us want to read more

Rising Action Includes all of the events leading up to the climax. Creates tension and demonstrates mounting conflict.

Climax The highest point of interest in the story. Marks the turning point of the events; reader is able to predict how story might end. Signifies a change of action in the story.

Falling Action Includes all of the actions or events that are a direct result of the climax Begins pointing to the resolution; sets up the ending of the conflict.

Resolution Contains events to show that conflicts have been resolved Provides closure for the story

Setting The time and place of a story It can reveal important background as well

Protagonist The main character facing or battling a conflict

Antagonist The source of the conflict The antagonist may not always be human (animal, person, weather, situation, etc)

Conflict The main source of tension in a story External Conflict: when the conflict occurs outside the character Internal Conflict: When the tension or conflict is within a character (mental or emotional)

Dialogue Conversation between characters or within a character’s head.

Theme The central message or point that the author tries to make in the story. Essentially, it is what the author hopes the reader will learn Do not confuse this with a topic--a topic is a “subject”--a theme gives it deeper meaning

Symbol People, places, or things that stand for themselves and something else.

Point of View The perspective from which a story is told. First Person: narrator is included in action; I, me, my, we, us, our Third Person: Narrator is an observer; he, she, his, her, it, its, they, their Third Person Omniscient: An all-knowing, god-like narrator Third Person Limited: Narrator only knows thoughts and feelings of one character