SHORT STORIES
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Definition:Most often fictional writing between 500 to 5000 words
Tells about a single event or experience
Has a beginning, middle & end
Has a protagonist & antagonist
Overview of Short StoryHas a single plot
Focuses on only one incident A small number of charactersSingle setting (most often)Setting covers a short period of time or a few places
Overview of Short StoryCan be read in its entirety within one sitting.
The plot is not very complex.
The story quickly comes to the point.
PurposeTo entertainTo involve the reader in a single situation or conflict
To demonstrate a central theme through a character’s life.
Elements of a Short Story Characters/ CharacterizationPlot-Exposition, Trigger, Rising
Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
ConflictSettingThemePoint of View (P.O.V.)
ThemePortrays the views about life and how
people behave – often a universal truth. (Golden Rule etc.)
Is not usually presented directly, the reader must connect the pieces.
The reader can figure out the theme from the characters, their actions, setting of the story or with symbols presented.
Theme Continued
To uncover the theme, the reader might refer to…
1.The title of the story2.Notice repeating patterns, motifs and symbols
3.Make connections to allusions made throughout the story
Central Themes for English 9Inter-Relationships
How people interact with other people
Self-Reliance How the character behaves/acts
The Theme may make you wonder:
How do I relate to my family, my community, and my country?
How do my relationships, skills and talents help to define me?
What lesson(s) can I derive from stories?
How can I apply these lessons to my life?
Character’s DevelopmentCharacters’ ActionsDialogue or ThoughtsReactions to Other Characters or
SituationsCharacter’s Habits/IdiosyncrasiesCharacter’s Possessions Physical DescriptionsBackground Information from Other
Sources (usually from characters or foreshadowing from author)
Types of Characters
Round- Major character who encounters conflict and is changed by it externally.
Flat- Minor characters who do not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story.
Types of Characters Dynamic-A character major or minor who changes significantly during the course of the story. Changes must result because of some change within the character's self-conscience.
Static- The character does not undergo a significant change. A static character is a character that remains basically unchanged throughout a work.
Stereotyped: Brilliant Detective, Bully Cruel Step-Mother etc.
Good Guy vs. Bad Guy
The Good Guy= ProtagonistThe character is clearly central
to the story with all major events having some importance to this character.
The Bad Guy= AntagonistThe opposer of the main
character
Point of View
Point of View, or P.O.V., is defined as the angle from which the story is told. 1. Innocent Eye - The story is told through
the eyes of a child (his/her judgment being different from that of an adult) .
2. First Person - The story is told by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely with or other characters (using pronouns I, me, we, etc). The reader sees the story through this person's eyes as he/she experiences it.
P.O.V. Continued
3. Omniscient- The author can narrate the story using the following:
He can move from character to characterEvent to event Having free access to the thoughts, feelings and
motivations of the characters and introduces information where and when he/she chooses.
Two main types of omniscient point of view:
a) Omniscient Limited - The author tells the story in third person (using pronouns they, she, he, it, etc). We know only what the character knows and what the author allows him/her to tell us.
b) Omniscient Objective – Told through third person. It appears as though a camera is following the characters, going anywhere, and recording only what is seen and heard. The reader is placed in the position of spectator without the author there to explain. The reader has to interpret events on his own.
internal man vs. himself—the struggle takes
place in the character’s mind or heart
external man vs. an outside force—the struggle is
against another man, nature, the environment, the supernatural, society
Conflict: a struggle between two opposing forces
