Short Story Vocabulary
Protagonist: The main character of the story. Can be one person or a
group of people. Always faces a dilemma and present in the climax. Always has
some revelation or realization that he needs to have.
Dilemma: A struggle between opposing forces. The conflict can be
internal or external. It’s often a problem the protagonist needs to solve or a
realization that he needs to have.
Climax: That point in the story where you know that the
protagonist has resolved his dilemma. It must be a direct quote from the story.
The protagonist must be present in the climax.
Denouement: What happens as a result of the protagonist solving his
dilemma. Not every story has one.
Antagonists: Forces upon the Protagonist creating his dilemma. Must
have both positive and negative forces or there is no dilemma. They can be a
person, thing, situation, or belief.
Theme: A universal truth about people – the things they do, the
way they are, that can be applied to your life. Not a dippy moral.
Characterization: A drawing of three-dimensional characters that include
looks, personality, character traits. In a short story it needs to be done
quickly.
Plot: What happens in a story. Limited in a short story.
Setting: Where the story takes place. Includes description and
sensory images.
Title: Name of the story. Often an important key into the meaning
of the story.
Lit 7 Tuesday, 9/22 - novel vocab - genre - dilemma.
Novel Vocabulary
Genre: A group, type, or classification of Literature. (Novel,
Poetry, etc.)
Plot: What happens in a story. Multiple plots and subplots in a
novel
Setting: Where the story takes place. Includes description and
sensory images. Multiple settings in a novel.
Title: Name of story. Often an important key into the meaning of
the story.
Characterization: Drawing of three-dimensional characters including looks,
personality, character traits.
Dilemma: A struggle between opposing forces. The conflict can be
internal or external. It’s often a problem the protagonist needs to solve or a
realization that he needs to have.
