Elements of Short Fiction Flashcards

Grade 9 · English · Flashcards

Key terms and concepts for analyzing short stories.

Flashcards

Exposition: The opening of a story that introduces characters, setting, and background context
Rising Action: The series of events after the exposition that build tension toward the climax
Climax: The moment of peak tension in the story — the turning point where everything changes
Falling Action: Events following the climax that show the aftermath and move toward resolution
Resolution: The conclusion that provides closure and shows the story's new state of equilibrium
Internal Conflict: A struggle within a character's mind — guilt, fear, moral dilemma, or desire
External Conflict: A struggle between a character and an outside force (person, nature, society, technology)
Tone: The author's attitude toward the subject, revealed through diction and style choices
Mood: The emotional atmosphere the story creates in the reader
Foreshadowing: Early hints or clues that suggest what will happen later in the story
Unity of Effect: Poe's principle that every element of a short story should contribute to one dominant impression
Character vs. Society: Conflict where an individual struggles against the values, rules, or expectations of a larger group