Short Story Literary Analysis Terms

The sequence of events in a short story, usually divided into five parts.

• plot
• theme
• exposition
• flashback

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Introduces the setting, the characters and the basic situation.

• plot
• exposition
• rising action
• dialect

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Introduces the conflict, or problem in the story

• universal theme
• falling action
• rising action
• climax

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

The turning point of a story

• irony
• motivation
• universal theme
• climax

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

The part of the story when the conflict lessens.

• characterization
• falling action
• rising action
• irony

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

The story’s conclusion

• motivation
• exposition
• resolution
• plot

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

The central/main message expressed in a story

• theme
• universal theme
• irony
• motivation

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Recurring theme about life that is expressed in different cultures and time periods.

• theme
• characterization
• irony
• universal theme

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

The time and place of the story

• conflict
• setting
• irony
• exposition

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

Problem in the story

• motivation
• conflict
• dialect
• irony

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D