1. Elements of a Short Story ENG 2D1

2. What is a Short Story? A short story is a piece of prose fiction, usually under 10, 000 words, which can be read in one sitting. A short story is a piece of prose fiction, usually under 10, 000 words, which can be read in one sitting.

3. Short Story Elements 1. Plot 2. Characters 3. Conflict 4. Setting 5. Theme 6. Mood / Atmosphere 7. Point of View

4. 1. Plot The sequence of events that occur in a story. Usually has 5 components: 1. Introduction (Exposition) 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Denouement ( Conclusion /Resolution)

5. Plot Introduction/Exposition: Sets up the story by introducing the main characters, the setting and the problem to be solved. Sets up the story by introducing the main characters, the setting and the problem to be solved.

6. Plot Rising Action: The main part of the story where the full problem develops. A number of events are involved that will lead to the climax.

7. Plot Climax: The highest point of the story where the most exciting events occur. The highest point of the story where the most exciting events occur.

8. Plot Falling Action: Follows the climax. It contains the events that bring the story to the conclusion.

9. Plot Denouement/Conclusion/ Resolution: The final outcome. The final outcome. The conflicts are resolved and the loose ends are tied up. The conflicts are resolved and the loose ends are tied up.

11. Review: Elements of Plot List the 5 elements of the plot graph in order. List the 5 elements of the plot graph in order.

12. Answer: 1. Introduction (Exposition) 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Conclusion (Denouement / Resolution)

13. 2. Characters People involved in the events of the plot. People involved in the events of the plot. Relatively few of them in a short story due to its limited length. Relatively few of them in a short story due to its limited length.

14. Characterization In order for a story to seem real to the reader, its characters must seem real. In order for a story to seem real to the reader, its characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the character themselves. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the character themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways: 1. His/her physical appearance 2. What he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams 3. What he/she does or does not do 4. What others say about him/her and how others react to him/her

15. Characters Protagonist - The main character or hero in a story. Antagonist – The person or force that works against the hero, or main character, of the story.

16. Characters Narrator – The person or character who tells the story, gives background information, and fills in details between dialogue. Narrator – The person or character who tells the story, gives background information, and fills in details between dialogue.

17. Flat vs. Round Characters Flat character- A flat character is simple and one- dimensional, usually only there to fill a simple role. Round character- A round character has a complex personality, more like a real person.

18. Static vs. Dynamic Characters Static character- A static character is one who stays the same throughout the entire story. Static character- A static character is one who stays the same throughout the entire story. Dynamic character- A dynamic character changes in some way during the story. They usually come to some sort of realization that permanently changes them as a result of the events in the story. Dynamic character- A dynamic character changes in some way during the story. They usually come to some sort of realization that permanently changes them as a result of the events in the story.

19. Characters Foil – a character who adds contrast to the protagonist.

20. Elements of the Short Story Provide an example of a protagonist and antagonist from the same literary work. Provide an example of a protagonist and antagonist from the same literary work.

21. Self Check: Elements of the Short Story Time for a quick check so far… What are the 6 elements of a short story? What are the 6 elements of a short story?

22. Answer: 1. Characters 2. Setting 3. Plot 4. Conflict 5. Point of View 6. Theme

23. Self Check: Characters Describe 2 out of 4 ways an author can establish characterization. Describe 2 out of 4 ways an author can establish characterization.

24. Answer: 1. His/her physical appearance 2. What he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams 3. What he/she does or does not do 4. What others say about him/her and how others react to him/her

25. 3. Conflict Conflict is the main struggle or opposition in a story that the protagonist has to solve or face. Conflict in stories are either: 1) External 2) Internal. There are 6 main types of conflict.

26. Conflict: Internal Character versus Self: This is an internal conflict. This is an internal conflict. When a character struggles with moral dilemmas, emotional challenges or desires. When a character struggles with moral dilemmas, emotional challenges or desires. The conflict is with the character's own soul or conscience. The conflict is with the character's own soul or conscience.

27. External Conflicts 1. Character versus Character: This is an external conflict. This is the most obvious form of conflict, when a character in a story struggles with another character in the story. This can be in the form of arguments, conflicting desires, opposing goals, physical confrontations or emotional dilemmas.

28. Conflict 2. Character versus Nature: This is an external conflict. This is an external conflict. Sometimes the forces of nature, which are out of the characters’ control, cause conflict in a story. Sometimes the forces of nature, which are out of the characters’ control, cause conflict in a story. Nature can cause conflict in the form of a flood, hurricane, snow storm and much more. Nature can cause conflict in the form of a flood, hurricane, snow storm and much more.

29. Conflict 3. Character versus Society: This is an external conflict. A character may feel repressed by society creating a conflict. For example, if a society is not accepting of different religions, races, genders, this can create problems for characters in a story.

30. Conflict 4. Character versus Supernatural: This is an external conflict. This is an external conflict. This type of conflict is usually found in certain literary genres, such as fantasy, science fiction, horror and supernatural books. This type of conflict is usually found in certain literary genres, such as fantasy, science fiction, horror and supernatural books. When the character comes up against aliens, divine forces or supernatural villains, such as ghosts. When the character comes up against aliens, divine forces or supernatural villains, such as ghosts. The main character must call upon his or her strength to defeat the fantastic enemy confronting him or her. The main character must call upon his or her strength to defeat the fantastic enemy confronting him or her.

31. Conflict 5. Character versus Technology: This is an external conflict. When the character comes up against a computer virus or a robot, or anything technological.

32. Review List the 5 types of external conflict discussed in class. List the 5 types of external conflict discussed in class.

33. Answer 1. Person vs. Person 2. Person vs. Nature 3. Person vs. Society 4. Person vs. Supernatural 5. Person vs. Technology

34. Review Name and provide an example of the type of conflict classified as internal. Name and provide an example of the type of conflict classified as internal.

35. Answer Person vs. Self Person vs. Self Example: a conflict involving ones conscience, fears or doubts. Example: a conflict involving ones conscience, fears or doubts.

36. 6. Theme Theme is the story’s message, unifying or central idea. Theme is the story’s message, unifying or central idea. The theme may be the author’s thoughts about a particular topic or view of human nature. The theme may be the author’s thoughts about a particular topic or view of human nature. Carefully examine character, action, images, and repeated words or phrases to help you. Carefully examine character, action, images, and repeated words or phrases to help you.

37. Answer Theme is the story’s message, unifying or central idea. Theme is the story’s message, unifying or central idea. Theme is the authors commentary on an aspect of human nature or life in general. Theme is the authors commentary on an aspect of human nature or life in general.

38. Mood / Atmosphere Mood is a literary element that evokes certain feelings readers through words and descriptions. Mood is a literary element that evokes certain feelings readers through words and descriptions. Usually, mood is referred to as the atmosphere of a literary piece Usually, mood is referred to as the atmosphere of a literary piece Mood is developed in a literary piece through various methods. It can be developed through setting, theme, tone and diction Mood is developed in a literary piece through various methods. It can be developed through setting, theme, tone and diction

39. 4. Setting The setting is where (place) and when (time) the story occurs. The setting is where (place) and when (time) the story occurs. Can provide the physical background, environment or atmosphere. Can provide the physical background, environment or atmosphere. Also, can provide details about the social condition of the characters (daily life). Also, can provide details about the social condition of the characters (daily life).

40. Self Check: Setting Define the term “setting”. Define the term “setting”.

41. Answer: The setting is where (place) and when (time) the story occurs. The setting is where (place) and when (time) the story occurs.

42. 5. Point of View The point of view is the position from which the events of the story are presented to the readers. The point of view is the position from which the events of the story are presented to the readers. There are 2 main types of point of view: There are 2 main types of point of view:

43. Point of View First Person – a character in the story is the narrator and uses the pronoun “I”. The story is told through one characters eyes and the events are coloured through that characters experience.

44. Point of View Third Person – the narrator tells the story about other people and uses the pronouns “they” rather than “we”. the narrator tells the story about other people and uses the pronouns “they” rather than “we”.

45. Point of View There are 2 types of third person point of view: 1. Omniscient- the narrator knows everything about all the characters and the events and can shift from character to character. 2. Limited – the narrator may choose to tell the story through one character or a group of character’s eyes.

46. Review The narrator tells the story using the pronouns “they” rather than “we”. The narrator tells the story using the pronouns “they” rather than “we”. What type of point of view is described above? What type of point of view is described above?

47. Answer Third Person Third Person

48. Review The narrator knows everything about all the characters and the events and can shift from character to character. The narrator knows everything about all the characters and the events and can shift from character to character. What type of point of view is described above? What type of point of view is described above?

49. Answer Third Person Omniscient Third Person Omniscient

50. Review Define the term “theme”. Define the term “theme”.

51. Elements of the Short Story Wrap Up Do you have any questions? Do you have any questions?