SHORT STORY NOTES

Characters

Characters-people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of a story. 

Protagonist- main character in the story Can be good or evil, the protagonist is not always

“the good guy,” it just means that he/she is the main character

Antagonist- forces at work against the main character; may be another character, nature, society, or a force from within the character

Static character-describes a character that changes little or not at all during the story.

Dynamic character-describes a character that changes and grows during the story.

This type of character usually goes through a life altering experience such as war, death of a close family member, or natural disaster.

Beast

Point of View

1st person- point of view- one of the characters is telling the story (I, me, my) 

3rd person point of view- someone outside of the story is telling the story 

3rd person omniscient-all-knowing 

3rd person limited- someone outside of the story who has limited knowledge of what’s going on.

PLOT

Plot- the action of the story (main points) & Setting-time and place of the story 

Exposition-the introduction of the story . This is

where the setting and the characters are introduced.

Rising Action (Complications)- main plot points

leading up to the climax 

Climax-the turning point in the action of the story

Falling Action- main plot points after the climax 

Resolution- the satisfying end of the story

Other Elements:

Theme- the central idea of a story. Ex: love, growing up, hate, revenge.

Motif- A unifying element in an artistic work especially any recurrent image, symbol, theme, character type, or subject.

Foreshadowing- The use of hints or clues in a narrative to suggest future action.

Types of Conflict

Conflict-problem or struggle between two or more opposing forces 

Person v. Person- character has problems with another character ex: a fight in the lunchroom Batman and Joker

Glozell

Types of Conflict

Person vs. Society- character has problems with traditions, laws, school, etc. Ex: dress code The Speed Limit (because we all want to drive

faster)

Types of Conflict

Person vs. Self- character struggles with himself trying to decide what to do Ex: making hard decisions/choices

Types of Conflict

Person vs. Nature- character struggles with natural happenings EX: storms

Types of Conflict

Person vs. Fate- character battles with what seems to be an uncontrollable problem/unbelievable coincidence. EX: Hercules. Ancient mythology

Types of Conflict

Person v. Technology When an individual has a problem with

technology. Ex: computer, phone, etc.

Types of Conflict

Person v. Machine When an individual has a problem with a

machine. Car, dishwasher, washer, etc.

Check for Understanding

Fresh Prince

Watch the clip and answer the following…1) Who is the protagonist?2) Name one antagonist.3) What point of view is it written in?4) What main type of conflict does Will have

throughout the story? Person v. ___________.5) What is the climax of the story?

THE END