Short Story Vocab

Front

Plot

Back

A series of related events that make up a story or drama.

Front

Exposition (part of plot)

Back

Beginning of a story

Front

Foreshadowing

Back

Clues hinting at future events in a plot.

Front

Rising Action

Back

A series of relevant incidents that create suspense, interest, and tension in a narrative.

Front

Watershed event

Back

The main character makes a decision that will change the rest of the story.

Front

Verbal irony

Back

Saying one thing but meaning something else; the opposite of what you mean.

Front

Resolution

Back

The end of the story

Front

External conflict

Back

Conflict with anything outside the character (e.g., man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. society)

Front

Falling action

Back

All events following the climax.

Front

Symbolism

Back

When something stands for its basic (literal) meaning and also something outside of itself (implied meaning).