Short Story Terms

Question 1

A narrative that serves as an extended metaphor, written in the form of fables, poems, stories, and almost any other style

Answer 1

allegory

Question 2

A method used to build suspense by providing hints of what is to come

Answer 2

foreshadowing

Question 3

A common practice in narration used to keep the interest of an audience usually surprising them with a revelation

Answer 3

narrative twist

Question 4

A figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms

Answer 4

oxymoron

Question 5

A word or group of words in a literary work which appeal to one or more of the senses

Answer 5

imagery

Question 6

The time and place in which a story unfolds

Answer 6

setting

Question 7

A comparison using the words like or as

Answer 7

simile

Question 8

gives the story unity and provides an answer to the question what is the work about

Answer 8

theme

Question 9

A narration or description of an event which took place prior to the beginning of the story

Answer 9

flashback

Question 10

A character in a play who sets off another character by comparison

Answer 10

foil

Question 11

The author’s attitude towards their subject

Answer 11

tone

Question 12

central character in a literary work

Answer 12

protagonist

Question 13

The audience’s knowledge of events surpasses the character’s

Answer 13

dramatic irony

Question 14

the turning point to which the rising action leads

Answer 14

climax

Question 15

indirect reference to a famous person event or place

Answer 15

allusion

Question 16

occurs when the protagonist is opposed by a force

Answer 16

conflict

Question 17

Assesing the differences between two or more ideas/objects/people

Answer 17

contrast

Question 18

When an action is the reverse of what is expected or when the literal meaning of what is said differs form what is meant

Answer 18

irony

Question 19

the force which opposes the protagonist

Answer 19

antagonist

Question 20

a situation that seems to contradict itself but does not

Answer 20

paradox

Question 21

atmosphere or feeling created by a literary work

Answer 21

mood

Question 22

sequence of events in which the story unfolds

Answer 22

plot

Question 23

A comparison without using like or as

Answer 23

metaphor

Question 24

an object represents an idea

Answer 24

symbolism

Question 25

something nonhuman is given human characteristics

Answer 25

personification

Question 26

Written to arouse contempt and ridicule the subject of the work

Answer 26

satire

Question 27

a quality that makes the readers uncertain about what is to come

Answer 27

suspense