Short Story Terminology Flash Cards

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Frame Story

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Leads readers from a first story into another, smaller one (or several ones) within it.

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Theme

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The central or universal idea of a piece of fiction; it is a perception about life and the human condition.

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Symbols

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Characters, settings, images, or other motifs that represent bigger ideas. Authors often use symbols to give their work more meaning.

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Motif

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A recurring symbol that has significance within a story.

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Setting

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The time and place in which a story occurs, including physical, psychological, cultural, or historical background.

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Tone

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The author’s attitude toward the subject.

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Mood

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How readers are made to feel or the emotion evoked by the author.

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Flashback

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A literary device presenting material that occurred prior to the opening scene.

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Foreshadowing

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Presentation of material to prepare the reader for future events.

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Verbal Irony

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Words state the opposite of the writer's true meaning (sarcasm).