Short story concepts Flashcards
(29 cards)
Exposition
The beginning of a story where the scene is set and characters are introduced, especially the protagonist.
Conflict
The protagonist faces some type of conflict, challenge, problem or complication. Without this, there is no story.
Rising Actions
The events that lead up to the climax. Tension starts to build through these events.
Climax
The most ‘x’ part of the story, where tension, suspense or action is at its highest. This is also known as the turning point.
Falling Action
This occurs immediately after the climax; tension starts to release.
Resolution
The story starts to wrap up, the reader might even get a sense of closure. Some short stories don’t have a resolution.
Protagonist
The main character in a story.
Antagonist
The character/s working against the protagonist and causing the conflict. Sometimes the antagonist might not be a character but could be something abstract such as a tsunami.
Characterisation
The process used by an author to develop a character’s traits.
Character traits
The characteristics and qualities of a character.
Character’s words, actions and thoughts
What a character says (words), thinks (thoughts) and does (actions) will reveal their traits - their qualities and characteristics.
Other character’s words, actions and thoughts about a character
What another character says about (words), thinks about (thoughts), or does (actions) to another character will build the reader’s understanding of that character.
Context - WHO
The social and historical background of a text. If we don’t understand the context, it is difficult to make meaning of (fully understand) a text.
WHO are the characters in the story? How do you know this?
Context - WHAT
The social and historical background of a text. If we don’t understand the context, it is difficult to make meaning of (fully understand) a text.
WHAT is the story about? How do you know this?
Context - WHERE
The social and historical background of a text. If we don’t understand the context, it is difficult to make meaning of (fully understand) a text.
WHERE is the story set? How do you know this?
Context - WHEN
The social and historical background of a text.
If we don’t understand the context, it is difficult to make meaning of (fully understand) a text.
WHEN is the story set? How do you know this?
Context - WHY
The social and historical background of a text. If we don’t understand the context, it is difficult to make meaning of (fully understand) a text.
WHY did the author write story? How do you know this?
Context - HOW
The social and historical background of a text. If we don’t understand the context, it is difficult to make meaning of (fully understand) a text.
HOW does information about the context help you to make meaning (understand) the text?
Characterisation - WORDS
What a character SAYS.
E.g. Jan sat down across the table from the girls and SAID, “Hello, I really like your necklace. My name’s Jan, what’s yours?”
This shows the reader that Jan is friendly and caring.
Characterisation - ACTIONS
What a character DOES.
E.g. Jan’s SMILE made the new girl feel comfortable. Jan reached over and SHOOK HER HAND.
This shows the reader that Jan is friendly and caring.
Characterisation - THOUGHTS (Part 1)
What a character THINKS.
E.g. Jan noticed the new girl across the room sitting by herself. Jan KNEW how lonely the girl must be and decided right then to be her friend.
This shows the reader that Jan is friendly and caring.
Characterisation - THOUGHTS (Part 2)
Verbs that show a character’s thoughts:
Think Know Understand Realize Believe Want Remember Imagine Desire
Characterisation - NARRATOR’S DESCRIPTION
How the narrator describes a character.
E.g. Ever since Jan was in first grade, she always WANTED TO HELP OTHERS.
This shows the reader that Jan is friendly and caring.
Characterisation - OTHER CHARACTER’S thoughts, words and actions
How other characters react to a character through their thoughts, words and actions.
E.g. Later that night, MARY TOLD HER FAMILY about Jan’s warm welcome to Meredith Junior High School.
