short story basics. story terms plot and conflict setting characters point of view theme
TRANSCRIPT
Short Story Basics
Story Terms
• Plot and Conflict
• Setting
• Characters
• Point of View
• Theme
Plot
• Definition: what happens and how it happens in a narrative.
Structure of a Short Story
• Exposition - establishes characters and setting.• Inciting Incident - propels plot forward; usually
introduces primary conflict.• Rising Action - events that complicate or
intensify the central conflict.• Climax - moment of highest interest or
emotional involvement in the story.• Falling Action - logical result of the climax.• Resolution - final outcome of the story.
• Climax—emotional high point of the story
• Resolution—outcome of conflict
• Exposition—introduction of characters and conflict
• Rising action—events leading to the climax
Exposition
ResolutionRising actionClimax
Writing a Short Story
Conflict• Definition: struggle between opposing
forces.
• Plot must contain conflict(s).
• Conflicts can be internal or external:– External conflict: conflict with an outside
force (person, group, animal, nature, fate, or the supernatural).
– Internal conflict: conflict against oneself.
Conflict ExamplesCharacter versus character
Hector and his best friend James are both trying for first prize in the school talent show.
Character versus environment
Miguel gets caught in a blizzard and must find ways to stay warm until help arrives.
Character versus situation
Cynthia battles city hall to start a meal delivery service for seniors in her community.
Plot Techniques• Atmosphere - overall effect of the setting and
descriptive details to create an emotional response in the reader.
• Suspense - excitement or tension.• Foreshadowing - hints about what will happen later on
in the story.• Flashback - interrupts the normal sequence of events
to tell about something that happened in the past.• Surprise Ending - conclusion that the reader does not
expect (use of irony).• Symbol - something concrete that represents
something abstract.
Setting• Definition: time, place, and society
within which the action occurs.– Time: day, era, history, time of life, etc…– Place: physical environment, weather,
scenery, buildings, rooms, furniture, etc…– Society: companions, dialects, customs,
occupation, way of life, morality, psychological conditions, etc...
Function of a Setting• Creates mood and atmosphere.• Makes action seem more real.• Can be the source of conflict or struggle.• Can symbolize an idea.
Setting
a student warming up on trumpet; microphone feedback; muffled conversations
Sounds Smells
faint hint of wood cleaner; musty clothing and mothballs; a girl’s strong perfume; hairspray
Sights
a jam-packed auditorium, students pacing backstage, red velvet stage curtains
Use sensory details—words describing sights, sounds, and smells—to help readers picture the setting.
Character• Types of Characters:
– Major characters• Protagonist• Antagonist
– Minor characters• Stock character• Foil character
– Round characters– Flat characters– Dynamic characters (undergo change)– Static characters (stay the same)
Characterization• Definition: how an author reveals what a
character is like and how they change throughout the story.
• Two methods:– Direct presentation - the author tells the reader
about the character directly.– Indirect presentation - the author reveals a
character through a physical description, their thoughts and actions, as well as the thoughts and actions of other characters in the story.
(Show, don’t tell)
Direct Characterization• …and I don’t play the dozens or believe
in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I’m a little girl with skinny arms and a squeak voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky.
» From “Raymond’s Run” by T. Bambara
Indirect Characterization• The old man bowed to all of us in the
room. Then he removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully. Chaplin once did that in a picture, in a bank - he was the janitor.
» From “Gentleman of Rio en Medio” by J. Sedillo
Writing Exercise – Show, Don’t Tell
T. S. Eliot, coined the phrase "objective correlative" to designate what he believed was the most important element in writing: Rendering the description of an object so that the emotional state of the character from whose point of view we receive the description is revealed WITHOUT ever telling the reader what that emotional state is or what has motivated it.
Writing Exercise – Show, Don’t Tell
A middle-age man is waiting at a bus stop. He has just learned that his son has died violently. Describe the setting from the man's point of view WITHOUT telling your reader what has happened. How will the street look to this man? What are the sounds, odours, and colours that this man will notice? What will his clothes feel like? Write a 250 word description.
Types of Character• There are two primary types of
character:– Flat character - only one or two
distinguishing traits; not fully developed– Round character - fully developed
character; reader may feel they exist in life.
Round Characters– Physical appearance– Personality– Background / personal history– Motivation– Relationships– Conflict– Do they change?
Point of View
• Definition: the perspective from which a story is told.
• Two main types:– First Person - told from perspective of a character
in the story.– Third Person - told from a removed perspective.
• Third Person Omniscient = all-knowing perspective.• Third Person Limited = access to inner thoughts of some
characters, but not all.
Theme• A central message, idea, concern, or insight
into life that is expressed through a literary work.
• You can use a variety of story elements to contribute to the development of theme.
• If your Creative Response is going to be a short story reflecting on one of the major themes of the play, decide what the play is saying about that theme, and try to recreate those ideas within an original narrative.
Literary Techniques• Descriptive language/sensory imagery
• Metaphor/Simile/Personification
• Voice
• Realistic Dialogue
• Symbolism
Planning• BEFORE you begin writing, have some
idea of where the story is going to go.
• What events will take place?
• How will you position those events throughout the story to ensure the structure is balanced and engaging?
Make every word count.
Every sentence should have a purpose.
“The first draft of anything is shit”
- Ernest Hemingway
Avoid Clichés!
The fastest way to make your writing feel juvenile and basic is to use clichés and explain/describe things in predictable ways. Find original and surprising descriptions and phrases.
The Creative Response• Demonstrates your understanding of
the text.
• Explores ideas introduced by the text.
• Must be an original creation.
Creating links between your text and the play
• Try using symbolism in a similar way to the original text. Example – The Removalists uses its characters to represent different parts of society.
Don’t try to do too much with one story
Write a story that is your own exploration of ONE of the central themes in the text.
Don’t attempt to write a story that covers all of the themes that are present in the play.
RubricCriteria Advanced Established Demonstrated Some Evidence Little Evidence
Understanding of purpose and structure of chosen medium
Highly developed understanding of purpose and structure of medium chosen
Well-developed understanding of purpose and structure of medium chosen
Satisfactory understanding of purpose and structure of medium chosen
Some understanding of purpose and structure of medium chosen
Limited or no understanding of purpose and structure of medium chosen
Application of techniques relevant to medium
Sophisticated control of the techniques relevant to medium
Well-developed control of the techniques relevant to medium
Satisfactory control of the techniques relevant to medium
Some control of the techniques relevant to medium
Little or no control of the techniques relevant to medium
Demonstrated links to text/topic
Makes sophisticated and insightful links to text/topic
Makes substantial links to text/topic
Makes some appropriate links to text/topic
Makes limited links to text/topic
Few or no links to text/topic
Imagination, originality of thought and distinctive style
Creates with a distinctive style, demonstrating a high degree of imagination, originality and flair
Creates with imagination and originality with evidence of a distinctive style
Some use of imagination and originality of thought
Creates with little evidence of imagination, or originality of thought and/or relies on clichés
Lacks imagination and originality and /or relies heavily on clichés with no symbolism evident
