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TUTORIAL

Short Stories

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Short stories are like icebergs….

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Definition of Short Story

A short story is a brief narrative written to entertain or broaden our understanding.

©2010 Thinkstock Archer, L., Costello, C., & Harvey, D. (1997). Reading and Writing for Success, Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd., p. 12.

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Elements of Short Stories

Every detail and event in a short story is carefully chosen by the writer to contribute to the overall effect.

©2010 Thinkstock Archer, L., Costello, C., & Harvey, D. (1997). Reading and Writing for Success, Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd., p. 12.

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1. Setting 2. Plot 3. Point of View

4. Character 5. Theme

There are five main elements of short stories…

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1. Setting

The setting of a short story involves both the time and place. It often connects the characters to the mood or atmosphere.

©2010 Thinkstock Archer, L., Costello, C., & Harvey, D. (1997). Reading and Writing for Success, Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd., p. 12.

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2. Plot

The plot is the sequence of events in a story.

©2010 Thinkstock Archer, L., Costello, C., & Harvey, D. (1997). Reading and Writing for Success, Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd., p. 12.

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Plot Diagram

Rising Action: actions leading to the climaxMotivation: what causes the characters to behave the way they doComplication: the difficulties the characters haveSuspense: the quality of anticipation

Climax: the highest point of intensity in the story

Falling action: action after the highest point in the story

Initial action: first incident which causes conflict

Denouement: the final outcome or clarification of the story

Exposition or background to the story. Not always present .

Perrine, L. (1987) Story and Structure, Toronto: Harcourt Brace Canada Ltd., p. 45-52.

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Conflict

Challenges or struggles characters deal with inside the story are called conflicts.

External conflict man vs. man man vs. environment

Internal conflict man vs. himself

©2010 Thinkstock Perrine, L. (1987) Story and Structure, Toronto: Harcourt Brace Canada Ltd., p. 46.

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3. Point of View

Who tells the story and how it gets told. First Person: the author disappears into one of the

characters who tells the story using "I." Omniscient: the story is told by the author, using 3rd

person, and his knowledge and choice are unlimited; all knowing.

Limited Omniscient: story told in 3rd person, but tells it from the viewpoint of one of the characters in the story. He knows all about the character he is using, but he has no knowledge of others.

Objective: author is like a camera, he can record only what he sees and hears; cannot enter a character's mind. (Dramatic)

©2010 Thinkstock Perrine, L. (1987) Story and Structure, Toronto: Harcourt Brace Canada Ltd., p. 156-161.

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4. Character

Characters are presented in two ways: Directly: told straight out what a character is like.Indirectly: the author shows the character in action or by what he/she thinks, says, or does.

The protagonist is the main character.The antagonist is the character or force

opposing the main character.

Perrine, L. (1987) Story and Structure, Toronto: Harcourt Brace Canada Ltd., p. 46, 76.

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Character Types

Flat: characterized by one or two traits, summed up in a few sentences.

Round: complex and many-sided. Stock: a type of flat, stereotypical figure who

has occurred so often in fiction that his/her nature is immediately known (i.e. sinister villain, good sheriff, mad scientist, etc.)

Perrine, L. (1987) Story and Structure, Toronto: Harcourt Brace Canada Ltd.

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Character Types

Static: unchanging character from the beginning to the end.

Developing or Dynamic: undergoes a permanent change in some aspect of his/her character, personality, or outlook. Change should be plausible, meaning that the change is believable, given the details in the story.

Perrine, L. (1987) Story and Structure, Toronto: Harcourt Brace Canada Ltd., p. 77-79.

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5. Theme

Theme is the main idea or central insight in a story. It is a generalization about life and human nature.

A theme should be stated in a complete sentence and not just as a topic. Topic: childhood Expanded topic: appreciating childhood memories Theme: Appreciating childhood memories is

important to growing more mature.

Perrine, L. (1987) Story and Structure, Toronto: Harcourt Brace Canada Ltd., p. 108.

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Other Short Story Terms

Antecedent action: what happens before the story begins. Foreshadowing: revealing hints of future events. Symbol: something that stands for or represents another thing;

abstract; it can be an object, a person, situation, an action, or some other item which has a literal meaning in the story but suggests or represents other meanings as well. (I.e. a white dove might symbolize peace or freedom)

Flashback: reminiscing, going back to a previous incident Character Foil: two characters that are completely different Endings:

Happy Unhappy Surprise- a sudden new turn or twist in the plot; unexpected

eventsthat happen

Indeterminate- no clear outcome, the conflict is unresolved. Perrine, L. (1987) Story and Structure, Toronto: Harcourt Brace Canada Ltd., p. 196, 49-50.

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How to Read a Short Story

Some strategies to consider… Ease into the story.

Think about the title and author.

Look at the back of the book for any biographical information about the author.

Look at any illustrations and consider their connection to the title.

Read the first page and pause. Consider what you know so far about the characters, setting, conflict, and point of view.

Archer, L., Costello, C., & Harvey, D. (1997). Reading and Writing for Success, Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd., p. 13.©2010 Thinkstock

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How to Read a Short Story

Some strategies to consider… Get involved in the story.

Be an active reader by asking questions about what is happening.

Make predictions about what might happen.

Put yourself in the characters’ shoes. Form opinions about what is going

on. Picture the events and setting in

your mind. Write down your favorite quotations

as you read. Make connections to what you

already know.

Archer, L., Costello, C., & Harvey, D. (1997). Reading and Writing for Success, Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd., p. 13.©2010 Thinkstock

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How to Read a Short Story

Some strategies to consider… Write about the story.

Make jot notes to focus your thinking while you read.

If possible, annotate a copy of the story to: highlight, underline, circle, connect with arrows, add questions, definitions, or make comments/notes in the margins.

Underline any unfamiliar vocabulary.

Star important passages that connect thematically.

Perhaps draw web diagrams to keep track of the characters.

Sketch the setting.

Archer, L., Costello, C., & Harvey, D. (1997). Reading and Writing for Success, Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd., p. 13.©2010 Thinkstock

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To summarize…

All of the keycomponents in ashort story

1. Setting 2. Plot 3. Point of View 4. Character 5. Theme

contribute to whatlies beneath thesurface of a greatstory.

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Sources

Avatar illustrations courtesy of DoppleMeArcher, L., Costello, C., & Harvey, D.

(1997). Reading and Writing for Success. Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd.

Perrine, Laurence. (1987) Story and Structure. Toronto: Harcourt Brace Canada Ltd.

Images: 2010 Thinkstock