Elements of a Story Vocabulary Word Review Mrs. Connor

Fiction: when authors tell a story where they are using their imagination when authors tell a story where they are using their imagination

Short Story: a brief form of fiction; revolves around a single event a brief form of fiction; revolves around a single event

characters actors in the plot actors in the plot

Setting: Where and when the story takes place Where and when the story takes place

Plot: the action of the story, the events the action of the story, the events

External Conflict: The struggle between a character and an outside force, such as nature or another character. The struggle between a character and an outside force, such as nature or another character.

Internal Conflict Inner struggle within the mind and soul of the character. Inner struggle within the mind and soul of the character.

Climax : The turning point in the plot; the highest point in a story The turning point in the plot; the highest point in a story

The Resolution: The untangling of the conflict ; they become solved The untangling of the conflict ; they become solved

Allusion To make a reference to a well-known author or book (like the Bible) To make a reference to a well-known author or book (like the Bible)

onomatopoeia To form a word from a sound such as BOOM or MOO To form a word from a sound such as BOOM or MOO

Epiphany: moment of truth moment of truth

Round Characters: Developed completely and we have a complete picture of the character described Developed completely and we have a complete picture of the character described

Flat Character: Underdeveloped and the reader knows very little about their personality. We see only one side; a minor character Underdeveloped and the reader knows very little about their personality. We see only one side; a minor character

Protagonist: The central or main character who is the center of most of the action; often the hero The central or main character who is the center of most of the action; often the hero

Antagonist: A character representing the force which is opposed to the hero; usually the villain A character representing the force which is opposed to the hero; usually the villain

Foil Character A character designed to a mirror opposite of another character A character designed to a mirror opposite of another character

Theme: The overall deeper meaning of a story; the life lesson The overall deeper meaning of a story; the life lesson

Style: the characteristic way authors express themselves in language the characteristic way authors express themselves in language

Foreshadowing: The writer drops hints at the what is going to happen next The writer drops hints at the what is going to happen next

Image Mental pictures that writers create by using sensory details Mental pictures that writers create by using sensory details

Point of View The manner in which the author narrates the story; who is telling the story and how much they know

All Knowing Narrator Omniscient narrator; like a god looking down from above; this narrator knows everything Omniscient narrator; like a god looking down from above; this narrator knows everything

Limited All-Knowing only knows about ONE character ONLY only knows about ONE character ONLY

Character One in the story who tells his/her own story or one he/she participated in; uses “I” One in the story who tells his/her own story or one he/she participated in; uses “I”

observer Tells the story as if that individual were seeing it on the stage Tells the story as if that individual were seeing it on the stage

Symbolism : When objects represent something beyond their literal meanings When objects represent something beyond their literal meanings

Public symbols: Everybody recognizes this object that stands for something Everybody recognizes this object that stands for something

private symbols: Symbols not easily recognized because it is specific to the story Symbols not easily recognized because it is specific to the story dust = poverty dust = poverty

metaphor : A comparison of two unlike objects not using the words like or as A comparison of two unlike objects not using the words like or as Rock Solid Rock Solid

Simile A comparison between unlike objects using like or as A comparison between unlike objects using like or as as sly as a fox as sly as a fox

Hyperbole : Involves extensive exaggeration and is chiefly used for effect (usually humor) Involves extensive exaggeration and is chiefly used for effect (usually humor) Dave was so conceited that he developed a head as big as a barn. Dave was so conceited that he developed a head as big as a barn.

personification : To give inanimate objects life-like characteristics To give inanimate objects life-like characteristics

Irony Opposite of what expects Opposite of what expects

verbal irony: The speaker actually means the exact opposite of what is said The speaker actually means the exact opposite of what is said

Situational irony: The situation or action is opposite of what one would expect The situation or action is opposite of what one would expect

Tone : The attitude the writers have toward the subject matter they have written about (bitter, honest, realistic, ironic, etc.) The attitude the writers have toward the subject matter they have written about (bitter, honest, realistic, ironic, etc.) M*A*S*H M*A*S*H

mood The overall feeling of a story (such as spooky, happy, depressed) The overall feeling of a story (such as spooky, happy, depressed)