Short Stories Terms:

As we go through the PowerPoint presentation, make sure to WRITE

DOWN the definitions of each term.

1. Short Story: A brief work of fiction that can be read in a relatively

short period of time.
2. Genre: A category or type of literature
3. Setting: The time and place of the story.
4. Theme: The main message or lesson of the story.
5. Conflict: A problem in the story. There can be MANY conflicts in 1
story.
6. Plot: The series of events in a story
7. Exposition: The beginning of the story where the setting and
characters are introduced
8. Rising Action: The building events of the story that introduce some
kind of conflict.
9. Climax: The most pivotal point in the story where the conflict is at
its peak.
10. Falling Action: The events that start to wrap up the story.
11. Resolution: The conflict is completely wrapped up and the story
ends.
12. Character: A person (or animal) that is involved in the story.
13. Round/Dynamic: A character that changes a lot throughout the
story and one that we know different aspects of their personality.
14. Flat/Static: A character that remains the same throughout the
story and one that we don’t know much about their personality
15. Protagonist: The main character in the story who is in the center of
the conflict.
16. Antagonist: A character or group of characters who oppose the
protagonist.
17. Characterization: When an author describes characters through
their actions, speech, and thoughts.
18. Irony: When one event or action is expected, but the opposite is
received.
19. Foreshadowing: A hint or clue that the author gives as to what will
happen in the future of the story.
20. Suspense: Anticipation about what is going to happen next.
21. Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told.
22. Symbolism: When an object represents something abstract.
23. Style: The features of the language that an author uses to create
different impressions.
24. Mood: The atmosphere that an author creates through the plot,
characters, and descriptions.