Short Story Literary Terms
Across
- 3. The sequence of events in a story. It typically includes an exposition (introduction), rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
- 4. The author's attitude towards the subject matter or audience. It can be conveyed through word choice, imagery, and sentence structure.
- 9. The main problem or struggle faced by the characters. It can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or with an outside force).
- 12. of View: The perspective from which the story is told. It can be first-person (narrator as a character), second-person (narrator addresses the reader as "you"), or third-person (narrator outside the story). Third-person can be limited (focusing on one character's thoughts and feelings) or omniscient (knowing all characters' thoughts and feelings).
- 13. Words that imitate sounds (e.g., "howl," "bang").
- 14. Structure: The way the author organizes and presents the story's events. Common narrative structures include linear, non-linear (flashbacks, jumps in time), and circular (ending where it began).
- 15. The time and place in which the story occurs. It can influence the plot, characters, and mood of the story.
- 16. An object or image that represents an abstract idea. (e.g., the white candles symbolizing hope in "The Gift")
- 17. The emotional atmosphere created by the story. It is often influenced by the setting, tone, and events.
- 20. Words used to compare things (e.g., bigger, biggest).
- 22. A recurring element or idea that contributes to the story's theme. (e.g., fire in "The Gift")
Down
- 1. Giving human qualities to non-human things. (e.g., "The siren howled in the night.")
- 2. Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
- 5. Language: Language used in a non-literal way to create an effect or convey meaning. It includes:
- 6. A comparison stating one thing is another. (e.g., "The rocket was a fire-breathing dragon.")
- 7. Repetition of "s" sounds.
- 8. The emotional appeal of a story, often evoking feelings of sympathy, pity, or sorrow in the reader.
- 9. The individuals who participate in the story's events. They can be major or minor, dynamic (changing throughout the story) or static (unchanging).
- 10. The use of amusing or comical elements to create laughter or amusement.
- 11. The central idea or message that the story conveys about life, society, or human nature. It is often implied rather than stated directly.
- 18. Language Techniques:
- 19. Words that describe nouns and verbs, respectively, adding detail and depth.
- 21. A comparison using "like" or "as." (e.g., "The stars were like a million candles.")