Short Story Vocab

Front

Plot

Back

A series of related events that make up a story or drama.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Exposition (part of plot)

Back

Beginning of a story

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

Foreshadowing

Back

Clues hinting at future events in a plot.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

Rising Action

Back

A series of relevant incidents that create suspense, interest, and tension in a narrative.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Watershed event

Back

The main character makes a decision that will change the rest of the story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

Verbal irony

Back

Saying one thing but meaning something else; the opposite of what you mean.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Front

Resolution

Back

The end of the story

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

External conflict

Back

Conflict with anything outside the character (e.g., man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. society)

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Front

Falling action

Back

All events following the climax.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

Symbolism

Back

When something stands for its basic (literal) meaning and also something outside of itself (implied meaning).

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5