A short story is a work of fiction that can be read in one sitting.

Elements of a Short StoryElements of a Short Story

Plot

The chain of related events that take place in a story.

Built around conflict, which is a struggle between opposing forces.

Plot at a Glance

climax

falling action

rising action

resolution

exposition

The plot of a short story centers around conflict.

Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces.

Complications build the reader’s excitement.

Conflict

Types of Conflict•External

-Man v Man

-Man v Nature

-Man v Obstacle or Society

•Internal

-Man v Himself

Methods of CharacterizationCreating Believable Characters

Indirectphysical appearance

speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of the character

speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of other characters

Direct

the narrator’s direct comments about a character

Main Characterso “Round,” or “3-dimensional”…o See both the good AND bad sides of the charactero Changes in their goals, ambitions, valueso Dynamic: Changes as a result of the events in the story

Minor Characterso “Flat,” or “2-dimensional”o Have only one or two striking qualities (memorable)o Usually all good or all bado Lack deptho Static : Do not change in the course of the story

Types of Characters

Stereotypes o Stock Characters

Protagonist & Antagonisto Protagonist - main character)o Antagonist (force against the main character)

Setting = time and place

- puts the reader in the story by giving the reader the feeling of being in the situation.

- creates atmosphere by the positive or negative feelings associated with the place.

Point of ViewWho’s telling this story anyway?

- the vantage point from which the story is told.

- determines how much we, the readers, know about the characters

1st Person• Narrator is a character in the story.

•Narrator uses first-person pronouns, I, me, my, we, us, our to refer to himself or herself.

•Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character and speaks directly to reader.

3rd Person Limited•Narrator does not participate in action of story.

•Narrator does not refer to himself or herself.

•Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character, but readers are able to maintain some emotional distance from the character.

3rd Person Omniscient•Narrator does not participate in action of story.

•Narrator does not refer to himself or herself.

•Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters; readers get insight into several characters.

What is a symbol?

A symbol is a person, a place, an activity, or an object that stands

for something beyond itself.

Figurative LanguageSimile

A figure of speech; a direct comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”Ex: He was as cool as a cucumber

MetaphorA figure of speech involving an implied comparison between two

things, usually using a form of the verb “to be”Ex: The road was a ribbon of moonlight

Hyperbole – extreme exaggeration Personification- giving an inanimate object humanlike

qualities

Mood vs. ToneTone

Definition:The author’s attitude toward a subject (stated or implied)Can be pessimistic, optimistic, serious, bitter, sarcastic, etc.Set through word choice (diction), details

MoodDefinition:

The climate of feeling in a literary workCan be ironic, serious, humorousSet through setting, details, images, diction, etc.

ThemeIn literature, theme is a perception about life or human nature that the writer wants to share with the reader.

In most cases, the theme is not stated directly but must

be inferred.

Themes can be revealed by:

-a story’s title

- key phrases and statements about big ideas

- the ways the characters change and the lessons they learn about life.