Literary Terms: Short Story Unit

where and when the story takes place (time and place)

• exposition

• setting

• initiating event

• time period

Background information presented in a literary work.

• exposition

• initiating event

• setting

• conflict

In a story, this is the event that sets the main conflict into motion.

• rising action

• the kickstarter

• initiating event

• climax

The problem in a story

• fight

• conflict

• literary problem

• climax

The message the author communicates about life to the reader.

• exposition

• life lesson

• moral

• theme

The series of events in a story

• timeline

• plot

• climax

• falling action

The highest point of action in the story (turning point)

• conflict

• initiating event

• climax

• resolution

Whom the story is told by; could be 1st person, 3rd person, omniscient, etc.

• antagonist

• protagonist

• point of view

• static character

The part of the story in which the problems are solved and the action comes to an end

• resolution

• climax

• falling action

• rising action

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

• mood

• tone

• perspective

• opinion