Climax: That point in the story where you know that the dilemma
has been resolved.
Denouement: What happens as a result of the dilemma being resolved.
Antagonists: Forces creating the 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.
Parable: Short tale that illustrates a universal truth, a belief
that appeals to all people.
Foreshadowing: A device where the author gives clues that hint at later
events in the story. Makes surprise endings more believable.
Symbol: Something that has meaning in itself and also stands for
or represents something else. (American flag – patriotism, Dove – peace,
Crucifix – our faith)
Literature 8 - Tuesday, 11/8 - short story vocab test - oxymoron - surprise ending:
Oxymoron: Figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory ideas
or terms are combined for a certain effect. (Bittersweet, horribly good.)
Connotation: An emotional impact of a word or phrase beyond its literal
meaning.
Science Fiction: A literary genre that deals with people or worlds that do
not exist in our reality. Based loosely on scientific principles.
Flashback: A literary device where an event from the past is inserted
into the present. Seems as if it is happening in present time. Shows how the
present is influenced by the past.
Chronological
Order: The order in which events actually occur in time.
Foreshadowing: A device where the author gives clues that hint at later
events in the story. Makes surprise endings more believable.
Red herring: False clue meant to mislead.
Foil: Anyone serving to set off/contrast someone different or
superior.
Symbol: Something that has meaning in itself and also stands for
or represents something else. (American flag – patriotism, Dove – peace,
Crucifix – our faith)
Surprise ending: Unexpected twist at the end of a story that you did not
predict. Must be believable. Use of foreshadowing to hint at the surprise so it
is believable.
