Short Stories

Question 1

The central message or idea conveyed in a literary work.
Themes are universal and bigger than the small details of a text.

Answer 1

Theme

Question 2

• Introduces us to the Protagonist
• gives necessary ANTECEDENT ACTION (information that occurred before the opening of the story; but necessary for the reader to understand happenings in the story)
• gives the setting (time, place & social circumstance)
• sets a mood
• may introduce important secondary characters

Answer 2

Exposition

Question 3

This is the first major conflict that the protagonist faces.

Answer 3

Initial Incident

Question 4

A type of characterization where the author shows the character in action or by what he/she thinks, says or does.

Answer 4

Indirect characterization

Question 5

An exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally.

Answer 5

Hyperbole

Question 6

Occurs shortly after or simultaneously with the climax. It can only be successful if the reader does not know what will happen or why.

Answer 6

Surprise Ending

Question 7

when what occurs is the opposite to what was expected

Answer 7

Situational Irony

Question 8

feelings or emotions caused by the setting

Answer 8

Mood or Atmosphere

Question 9

The protagonist must solve his problem, defeat the villain; win the girl; and/or lives happily ever after.

Answer 9

Happy Ending

Question 10

A hint or suggestion as to what may happen later in a story.

Answer 10

Foreshadowing

Question 11

Name two different kinds of conflict in short stories.

Answer 11

Human vs Human
Human vs Self
Human vs Society
Human vs Supernatural
Human vs Environment

Question 12

Consists of time, place & social circumstance.

Answer 12

Setting

Question 13

the narrator is a character in the story; uses the pronoun “I”

Answer 13

First Person POV

Question 14

a comparison between two or more things using the words like or as

Answer 14

Simile

Question 15

making fun of something or someone to be mean, or cutting

Answer 15

Sarcasm

Question 16

The protagonist does not solve his problem or live happily ever after. (realistic)

Answer 16

Unhappy Ending

Question 17

through literature, some aspect of society (its beliefs, morals, actions etc.) are criticized with the hope that people will see themselves and change

Answer 17

Social Criticism

Question 18

The narrator is not a character, but reveals the thoughts and feelings of all the characters, uses the pronoun “he” or “she”.

Answer 18

Third Person Omniscient POV

Question 19

The succeeding incidents (after the initial incident) that “RISES” to the climax.
During this time the fate of the protagonist is not known.

Answer 19

Rising Action

Question 20

The conflict is resolved and all loose ends are tied up.

Answer 20

Resolution/Denouement

Question 21

The meaning of a word that depends upon the context in which it was used.

Answer 21

Connotation

Question 22

when the opposite of what is said is meant

Answer 22

Verbal
Irony

Question 23

a direct comparison between two or more things

Answer 23

Metaphor

Question 24

The main events within a literary work presented as an interrelated sequence.

Answer 24

Plot

Question 25

Any repetitive element that has a symbolic significance in the story.

Answer 25

Motif

Question 26

The character or force opposing the main character.

Answer 26

Antagonist

Question 27

the perspective from which the story is told

Answer 27

Point of View (POV)

Question 28

The exact literal meaning of a word.

Answer 28

Denotation

Question 29

A type of characterization where the author tells us straight out what a character is like.

Answer 29

Direct characterization

Question 30

The narrator writes what is observed without the knowledge of the thoughts and feelings any of the characters.

Answer 30

Third Person Objective POV

Question 31

The attribution of a personal nature or human quality to something nonhuman.

Answer 31

Personification

Question 32

a comparison between two or more things, usually for the purpose of explanation or clarity

Answer 32

Analogy

Question 33

The substitution of the name of an attribute for that of the thing meant.

Answer 33

Metonymy

Question 34

A statement or idea that despite being true actually sounds senseless, logically unacceptable or self-contradictory.

Answer 34

Paradox

Question 35

A shift in the narrative time frame from the present to an earlier point in the story.

Answer 35

Flashback

Question 36

A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.

Answer 36

Cliché

Question 37

unchanging character from the beginning to the end of the story

Answer 37

Static character

Question 38

when the audience knows a key piece of information that at least one character does not

Answer 38

Dramatic Irony

Question 39

Any events occurring between the climax and the resolution. The falling action serves to lessen the drama and tension of the climax.

Answer 39

Falling Action

Question 40

deliberate combination of contradictory words, usually for the purpose of shocking the reader into awareness

Answer 40

Oxymoron

Question 41

The narrator is not a character, but reveals the thoughts and feeling of ONLY ONE character

Answer 41

Third Person Limited Omniscient POV

Question 42

A story, poem or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Answer 42

Allegory

Question 43

The use of an object to represent an idea.

Answer 43

Symbolism

Question 44

This type of ending offers no real definite conclusion.

Answer 44

Indeterminate Ending

Question 45

an indirect reference to something well known this reference could be from mythology, pop culture, history, literature, etc...

Answer 45

Allusion

Question 46

type of character that undergoes a permanent change in some aspect of his/her character

Answer 46

Dynamic character

Question 47

This is the “high point” of the story after which everything declines. At this point we know the fate of the Protagonist.

Answer 47

Climax

Question 48

The main character in a story.

Answer 48

Protagonist

Question 49

An experience of striking or sudden realization.

Answer 49

Epiphany

Question 50

making fun of something or someone to bring about change

Answer 50

Satire