1. Plot
Definition - Plot refers to
the series of events that give a story its meaning and effect.
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A. Conflict
Definition - the basic opposition
or tension that sets the plot of a short story in motion; it engages
the reader, builds suspense or mystery, and arouses expectation for
events to follow
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B. Exposition
Definition - (background information,
setting the scene, establishes situation, dates the action)
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C. Rising Action
Definition - The part of a
plot in which the drama intensifies, rising toward the climax
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D. Climax
Definition - The plot's most
dramatic and revealing moment, usually the turning point of the story
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E. Falling Action
Definition - The part of the
plot after the climax, when the drama subsides and the conflict is resolved
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F. Conclusion
Definition - Also, Resolution-records
the outcome of the conflict and establishes some new balance
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2. Setting
Definition - Quite simply the
time and place of the story
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3. Character
Definition - character refers
to a textual representation of a human being or creature
Round/Flat - Round = Fully
developed, many layers…Flat = One dimensional, no depth
Static/Dynamic - Static = Undergoes
no important changes…Dynamic = Undergoes a significant change
Protagonist/Antagonist - Protag.
= Story’s central character…Antag. = The opposition to the Protagonist
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4. Point of View
Definition - how we know about
what happens/how the story is told
1st person - Narrator
uses the pronoun “I”, often also the protagonist
3rd person - Narrator
is not part of the story, instead tells the action from outside
Omniscient - Narrator can know
the thoughts and feelings of any and all characters
Limited - Narrator can only
reveal the thoughts of few or one character
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5. Theme
Definition - Theme is the meaning
or concept we are left with after reading a piece of fiction. Theme
is an answer to the question, "What did you learn from this?"
or “What was the author trying to accomplish?”
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