AP Literature Short Story Terms

Sequence of related events moving from a problem to a solution

• plot

• exposition

• rising action

• characterization

the main character struggles against an outside force

• dependent conflict

• internal conflict

• external conflict

• independent conflict

high point of interest/suspense in the story; the turning point

• exposition

• resolution

• falling action

• climax

the setting is the ____ and ____ of the action of the story

• time

• area

• situation

• place

characters who are not fully developed, only show one or two traits

• round

• flat

• dynamic

• static

characters who are well developed, show many different traits; complex characters who are seen from many angles

• flat character

• round character

• dynamic character

• static character

characters who develop and grow during the course of the story

• dynamic character

• static character

• round character

• flat character

characters who do not change during the course of the story

• dynamic character

• flat character

• static character

• round character

the writer directly tells the reader about a character's personality

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization

• primary characterization

• secondary characterization

the writer reveals the character’s personality through physical description, through the characters’ words, thoughts and actions, and through other characters’ comments

• secondary characterization

• primary characterization

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization