Short Fiction English 10 Phillips/Whitlatch

What is a Short Story? Examples? Characteristics?

“The True Story of the Big, Bad Wolf” Watch the following and then complete the handout with a partner.

Elements of Short Fiction Poe’s Rules Must be able to read in one sitting Characters must be believable. Setting and Time are crucial. Must contain no truth or non-fiction.

Plot climax falling action rising action resolution exposition

Types of Conflict External -Person v Person -Person vs. Nature -Person v Obstacle or Society Internal -Person v Self

Methods of Characterization Creating Believable Characters Indirect physical 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

Characters Round : complex and presented in detail Dynamic: developing and learning in the course of the story Flat: Characterized by one or two traits Static: unchanged from the story’s end?

Themes of Short Fiction Motivation: Cause/Reason for actions Behavior: Actions of the character Consequences: Results of actions Responsibility: Moral, legal or mental accountability Expectations: What the readers expect.

Mood Setting: -puts the reader in the story by giving the reader the feeling of being in the situation. -creates atmosphere by the feelings associated with the place.

Point of View Omniscient: 3 rd Person. Author knows all that is done, said, or thought. Limited: 3 rd Person. Author limits knowledge to one character’s perspective. First Person: Reader sees the story only from the view of the narrator. Objective: Author is like a movie camera only recording, but not offering thoughts, feelings or comments on the characters.

Figurative Language Simile Metaphor Personification Symbolism Irony Suspense Foreshadowing Imagery