Elements of a Short Story GRADE 9 ELA

“It appears evident, then, that there is a distinct limit, as regards length, to all works of literary art — the limit of a single sitting” – Edgar Allan Poe

What is a Short Story? A form of prose writing that is often fictional and which is shorter than the novel, and novella Shorter Length = More Investigative Reading Requires the reader to think inferentially Make judgments about character based on something like: How they act, How they dress

Elements of a Short story

Plot All stories have a basic structure: Beginning Middle End

Plot In literary texts, such as short stories, a story is crafted upon a plot. Plot – the author’s arrangement of events that make up the action of the story.

Plot Highest point of action/tension in a text CLIMAX Rising Action: Obstacles Complications Problems Falling Action: Leads to conclusion Tying up of loose ends Sharp decline is dramatic tension Resolution/Conclusion: Pulls together story Ending by return Theme? Ending? Introduction: Background info Characters Setting

Setting The time of a story: Think: ERA (Ex: 1940s) (PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE) Place(s) of a story: Where is the story set? Remember, setting can be very helpful in establishing mood and tone: Think: An island setting can create a sense of loneliness, and isolation. Setting may also be a factor in the conflict

Characters Stories need characters Major Characters: Protagonist – good guy/gal Antagonist – bad guy/gal/force Minor Characters (Supporting Actors!) How are characters developed?

Characterization Characterization – the way an author describes the characters in his or her story Direct characterization – when the author tells you something directly about the character: “She has icy blue eyes” Indirect characterization – when the reader must infer details based on characters’ thoughts, actions, and appearance. “He wore a leather jacket with a skull on the back”

Conflict Conflict is necessary in a short story Conflict is what moves a story ahead Creates tension, obstacles, problems for the story’s protagonist 2 types of conflict: Internal and External

Internal Conflict Intrapersonal Character vs. Self Characters are often faced with internal struggles based on choices and actions Point of View can be very helpful to remember for this type of conflict.

External Conflict Interpersonal (Character vs. Character) Batman vs. Joker Character vs. Nature Brian vs. Boreal Forest/Bears etc. in Hatchet Character vs. Society Katniss vs. The Capitol Think of social injustices here

Point of View Who is telling the story? Who is the narrator? 1st person: Use of pronoun “I” Benefits: Intimate Trust with reader Feel like an accomplice Common

Point of View 3rd person limited: Think – Observer/Bystander Second hand account Sometimes from a minor character’s perspective Hard to distinguish Limited to one character’s thoughts Use of “he, she, they”

Point of View 3rd person Omniscient – All Knowing Think ‘BOB COLE’ or another famous sports commentator Not based as much on characters’ internal thoughts, more external description of events

Point of View A common question in ELA is: Is the point of view effective? How would we answer that?

Theme Theme – the main message, or idea, in a text. Always look for clues for a potential theme in the story Universal Ideas: Good and Evil Love and Hate Relationships Struggles for Surivial Etc.

Writing Dialogue One of the important aspects of narrative writing is dialogue. Remember, dialogue is a conversation between 2 characters. Skilled writers use dialogue to portray character and to dramatize conflict It’s important to remember that a change in the person speaking, also means a NEW paragraph.

Sample Dialogue Mr. Churchill said to Nolan, “That was a hard loss for the Leafs last night.” “Yes, Mr. Churchill, they didn’t play very well.” “I think they can still beat Boston. Perhaps they will play better on Saturday night.” “I hope so Mr. Churchill. Well, I better get going for lunch.”

Dialogue Notice how there is a new paragraph each time the speaker changes. Notice the use of quotation marks for what the characters are saying. It’s important to distinguish when to use quotation marks depending on your choice of Point of View.

Paragraphs Paragraphs are an ABSOLUTELY crucial element of organized writing. Paragraphs are used to indicate: Change in Subject Change in Time Change in Speaker

Activity Create a short dialogue between 2 characters When finished, exchange your dialogue with a partner Review your partner’s dialogue for the following: Correct use of Quotation Marks Correct use of Paragraphs Check for: Capitalization, Punctuation, Spelling, and Sentence Fluency