Short Stories
Literature Unit 1
Objectives List the elements of the plot. Identify the elements of the plot in a short story Create a plot diagram for a short story Define setting in a short story Examine the effect of the setting on the short story Identify the point of view of a story Evaluate the author’s use of POV on the overall story Describe the conflict in a short story Differentiate between external and internal conflicts Argue the importance of the type of conflict on the impact/meaning of
the short story Compare/Contrast indirect and direct characterization Discuss possible themes in short stories Defend the chosen theme with examples from the short story Write a short story
What is a short story? A Short story is a concentrated dose of short fiction; it is
a small, well-polished stone is a vast quarry of fiction.
At the foundation of the short story, as with most fiction, is a set of the short story devices
Plot
Setting
Character
Theme
Point of view
Plot Plot is the sequence of events in a story; it
is the sequential/causal backbone of the story.
Basically what happens
But plot is as much about
WHY AS WHAT.
Why do those things happen in the order they happen
Some Plot Types: Linear/Cause & Effect Plot
One thing causes another or
Things happen in chronological order (most stories)
Episodic Plot
Related, but not necessarily interconnected episodes (The House on Mango Street, Don Quixote)
Quest Plot
Characters striving or questing for something (The Lord of the Rings)
Argument/___________________ Plot
Often a direct address to audience (Notes from the Underground)
PLOT TO UNDERSTAND THE PLOT, YOU WILL HAVE TO
CAREFULLY FOLLOW WHAT IS HAPPENING, EVENT BY EVENT.
THIS IS CALLED SEQUENCING.
TALK IT OUT!!!
While the music plays, discuss plots with a partner. Tell your partner the
plot of your favorite movie?
Not just what happens – why does that happen
ConflictAn important part of the plot is its
conflict: the struggle between two or more forces that must be resolved by the end of the narrative.
The conflict is also called the Narrative Hook
Types of Conflict
External Conflict - Conflict that occurs against an outside force
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society
Internal Conflict – Conflict that occurs within the character
Man vs. Himself
DiscussWhen the music starts list with a partner
and example of each type of conflict.
You need one example for Man vs. Man, one example for Man vs. Society, one example for Man vs. Nature, and one
example for Man vs. Himself.
Setting
Setting is the story’s time and place.
Ex: location, the weather, the time of year.
Mood: Setting can contribute to the mood, or emotional quality, of a literary work.
EX: a story set in the wild, stormy forest might have a tense or frightening mood.
Describe the setting, including the where, when, and mood of this picture:
CharactersCharacters are the people, animals, and
other individuals in a story.
In some cases a character can be a thing (The Ring)
Authors reveal the personality of each character through two types of characterization.
CharacterizationIndirect Characterization – finding
out about characters through other people’s thoughts or the character’s actions, thoughts or words
Direct Characterization – the author describing the character’s physical, appearance, thoughts, spoken words, and actions.
Round Vs. Flat Round or Dynamic
Character- The character: The character evolves and changes throughout the story.
Flat or Static Character_- The character does not change.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHARACTERS
MINOR CHARACTERS THESE ARE CHARACTERS ARE NOT TOO IMPORTANT TO THE STORY.
THEY MAY BE MENTIONED ONLY A FEW TIMES.
__________
The theme is the central message of a literary work.
What is the author’s opinion on the subject matter of the story
Usually not overtly stated, but implied
__________of view
A narrator is the person who tells a story. The relationship of the narrator to the story is called the point of view.
In a story with first person point of view, the narrator, a character in the story, is referred to as “I” or “we.”
In a story with second person point of view, the narrator addresses the reader,_________, as “_____.”
In a story with third person point of view, the narrator is outside of the story and uses “he” or “she” to tell the story.
WRITE!!!Write three sentences, in three different POVs, about a character walking down the road.
Third Person ContinuedOmniscient
Narrator is all-knowing, knows the thoughts, words, and actions of all characters
Limited
Narrator’s knowledge is limited to knowledge of the thoughts, words, and actions of one character or a few characters
Language
Voice is the distinctive use of language that conveys the author’s personality to the reader.
Could also be a CHARACTERS voice
Voice is determined by diction, an author’s choice of words and the arrangement of those words, and tone, an author’s attitude toward his or her subject matter or audience.
Back to Plot Most plots follow time sequence, but an
author can use complex plot devices, such as flash-forwards, flashbacks, subplots, or parallel plots to add interest of excitement.
Most, NOT all, plots develop in 5 stages: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
5 stage plot Exposition: introduces the story’s characters,
setting and conflict.
Rising Action: occurs as complications, twists, or intensifications of conflict occur.
Climax: the story’s most dramatic moment.
Falling Action: the logical result of the climax.
Resolution: presents the final outcome of the story.
Narrative Hook: the actual conflict of the story which draws us in.
THE PLOT PROCESS
INTRODUCTION (Narrative Hook)
INCITING INCIDENT- The Conflict
RISING ACTIONFALLING ACTION
RESOLUTION/DENOUEMENT
Connected – Short FilmAnalyze this short film.
Write down
1. Setting/Mood
2. Characters – direct characterization/indirect characterization
3. Type of Plot
4. Exposition/Rising Action/Climax/Falling Action/Resolution
5. Conflict/Narrative Hook
6. Theme
