English Terms - Short

Story
Protagonist:
The main character in a
story, novel or play.
Antagonist:
The character who struggles or
fights against the protagonist.
Point of view:

The perspective from
which the story was told in.
First Person point of view:

When the narrative is told by one of the
characters from the I point of view. This point of view
is limited because the reader knows only what the
character narrating knows.
Third Person Limited point of view:


The narrator tells the story using he and she. This
point of view can be limited, with the narrator knowing only
the thoughts and feelings of only one character.

Third Person
Limited point of view:
The narrator tells the story
using he and she.
This point of view can be
limited.
Third person omniscient point of view:


The narrator also tells the story using he
and she, but in this case, the narrator
knows the thoughts and feelings of all the
characters and presents the thoughts of all
characters involved.

A technique for presenting
something that helps explain something
about the current (present) situation.

Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback
Genre: Refers to the literary form
or the type of writing, for example, short
story, play, novel, ...

Genre:

Refers to the literary form or the
type of writing:

Drama
Poetry
Novel
Short Story


























The main idea of the article.







The overall mood of the story,
for example, comic,
mysterious.

Suspense: The feeling of growing tension and excitement felt by the
reader as the plot develops. It is what keeps the reader turning the pages and
wondering what will happen next.

Surprise ending: An unexpected twist in
the plot at the end of the story.
Resolution: The conclusion of the story in which
the problem or conflict is solved.
Climax: The highest point of
emotional intensity, usually the turning point.

Diction: Word choice used by a
writer.
Fiction: Any narrative that is
invented or imagined.

Non-fiction: Prose that presents
actual happenings.
Thematic statement: A one sentence
statement that generalizes a storys message.

Thesis: The main idea of an essay,
usually found in the first paragraph.
Irony: A literal device that is used to
achieve a meaning opposite to what is actually
being said.. There are 3 types:
Dramatic Irony: irony created when he
reader knows things that the character does
not know and therefore the characters
actions or words become either tragic or
humorous. This form of irony is meant to be
tragic, humorous or both.

Situational Irony: Discrepancy between
appearance and reality, or between what is
and what would seem appropriate.
Verbal irony: The use of figures of
speech such as hyperbole and under
statement to create an ironic effect. (The
opposite is said from what is intended)
Mood: Feelings created in the
reader by the selection.
Plot: The storyline or series of
episodes.
Setting: The time, place and
circumstances in which a story, book, drama ..
takes place.
Short story: A brief fictional prose
narrative, usually focuses on one character,
has a limited setting and a single plot.
Prose: Writing that uses ordinary
language (not poetry)

Satire: The use of irony to ridicule
an idea, person or thing.
Sub-theme: A minor idea often
related to the main theme.
Sub-conflict: Minor conflict often
related to the main conflict.
Conflict: The struggle between opposing
forces; Without it there would be no plot.:
There are 3 types:
Internal conflict (man vs himself) A
character must deal with his/her own thoughts
and feelings.
External conflict (man vs nature) A
character struggles against something in the
outside world.
Interpersonal conflict (man vs man) A
character struggles against another character.
Characterization: A writers portrayal of a
character through dialogue, actions,
appearance, habits, beliefs, way of speaking,
etc....

Character Types:
Flat Character: A flat character is
known by one or two traits.

Round Character: A round character is
complex and has many ides.; Through the
selection,
we learn what he or she
thinks, feels and wants.
Unique Character: A unique character is
any character that is not one of these
types. They
are not predictable and
they face unique situations and conflicts
Stock Character: A stereotyped character,
for example, a mad scientist, a cruel mother,
etc..
Static Character: A static character remains
the same from the beginning to the end.

Dynamic Character: A dynamic character is
developing and undergoes permanent
change. The character learns something from
the story and is different at the end.

Tone: The way in which a writers
choice of words reveal his/her attitude to the
subject or characters. (For example, is the
author poking fun at someone, or angry).

Symbolism: The use of a concrete object to
stand for an abstract or more complicated
idea. For example, a lion symbolizing courage.
Essay: A short piece of nonfiction writing
dealing with a single topic or theme. It
expresses a persons point of view or
understanding of a particular issue.
Fantasy: Often referred to as a fairy
tale. They often invite mysterious or
supernatural characters or
events. Traditionally, fairy tales like Hansel
and Gretel were intended for the adult
community and not children as it is now
thought.
Tragedy: A piece of writing with an
unhappy ending. In many tragedies, the hero
experiences mental or physical suffering and
then dies. Character is essential in a tragedy
because we have to feel sympathy for the
character or it is not tragic, for example,
Romeo and Juliet.
Hyperbole: An exaggerated statement used
to make a strong effect.
Imagery: the use of selected details to
describe one thing in terms of another. This
helps suggest additional meanings and
feelings.
Narrator: The speaker who tells the story.
Structure: The frame work that
determines how a story is put together - its
skeleton. The structure of most stories include
four basic parts: exposition, complication,
climax, and resolution.

Understatement: A figure of speech in which the
speaker says less than what he or she feels.