Short Fiction Test vocab Flashcards
(22 cards)
Allegory
A story that can be interpreted to reveal ma hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Climax
The most intense, exciting or important part of the story; a culmination or apex.
Allusion
An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
Antagonist
A person who actively opposes or is hostile to something; an adversary.
Artistic Unity
When all elements of a literary work work together for the achievement of its central purpose.
Conflict
Any struggle between opposing forces in literature; typically the main character struggles against some other force.
Deus ex Machina
When an implausible concept or character is brought into the story in order to resolve the conflict and bring about a pleasing solution.
Dilemma
A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.
Direct Presentation
When a character in a work is directly described by the author, the narrator, or the other characters.
Indirect Presentation
When a character’s traits are revealed through their actions and speech.
Dramatic Irony
When the audience is aware of some important aspect of the story that the characters are not.
(Ex. When the detective is unaware that the criminal he is looking for is actually his partner, and the audience knows)
Situational Irony
When the exact opposite of what is meant to happen happens.
Ex. When a person buys a gun to protect himself, but someone else uses that same gun to injure him
Verbal Irony
When the actual meaning of a statement is the opposite of its literal meaning or denotation.
(Ex. “I just can’t wait to read this 700-page report”)
Dynamic Character
A character who experiences a significant inner change, usually in personality or attitude, in the course of the story.
Static Character
A character who does not undergo any significant change in attitude or personality in the course of the story.
Flat Character
A relatively uncomplicated and unchanging character.
Round Character
A complex, realistic character that may undergo development or increase in complexity throughout the story.
Epiphany
A moment of sudden insight and understanding
Foil
A character whose contrast with another character—usually the protagonist—highlights particular qualities of that other character.
Imagery
Figurative language used to describe objects, actions, or ideas through the physical senses.
Indeterminate
A situation that requires the reader to make their own decisions about its outcome and/or meaning. Can occur when the text’s ending leaves questions unanswered or when its language hides the author’s original intentions.
Mystery
An aspect of a story that is puzzling, vague, or unknown to the reader.
