Elements of a Short Story Or What makes a short story?

All short stories contain: Characters Characters Theme Theme Point of View Point of View Setting Setting Plot Plot

Characters are the story’s actors. The setting may also be a character.

Characters are classified as: Protagonist or Antagonist Protagonist or Antagonist Dynamic or Static Dynamic or Static Flat or Round Flat or Round

Protagonist The protagonist is usually the first character introduced in the story. The protagonist is usually the first character introduced in the story. He wants something and sets out to get it. He wants something and sets out to get it. Neither all good or all bad. Neither all good or all bad.

Antagonist The character or force that comes into conflict with the protagonist. Rarely all bad.

Do Characters Grow? Dynamic Dynamic Usually the protagonist Usually the protagonist Makes a change or discovery about himself Makes a change or discovery about himself Not the same person at the end of the story Not the same person at the end of the story Must be a believable change Must be a believable change Static Character that essentially remains the same from the beginning to the end Adds stability

Characters and their Personality Flat Character Flat Character Only has one or two personality traits Only has one or two personality traits Is easily described Is easily described EX: Stock Characters—A character that fits a our expectations EX: Stock Characters—A character that fits a our expectations Round Character Many sides to his personality Many times is the protagonist as we see a change in the character from the start to the end.

Methods to Develop Characters Direct Characterization Direct Characterization Author tells us what the character is like Author tells us what the character is like Timid Timid Outgoing Outgoing Indirect Characterization The readers use clues to determine the characters personality Appearance Dialect Sentence Structure Private Thoughts Motives Effects on others Actions

Theme Definition: An idea or insight about human life and human nature that gives meaning to the story Definition: An idea or insight about human life and human nature that gives meaning to the story Theme is not the plot or the subject—it is the idea. Theme is not the plot or the subject—it is the idea. It lets us, as the reader, see how others view life. It lets us, as the reader, see how others view life.

Ways to determine a story’s THEME 1. Ask “What does this story reveal?” Remember, the theme is not the same as a moral. 2. Ask “How has the protagonist changed?” This generally shows what the author wishes to reveal about life. 3. Consider the title of the story. It may contain hints to the theme. 4. A theme must be expressed as a generalization about life or human nature.

5. A theme makes a statement about the subject of the story. It must be written in at least one complete sentence. 6. However, be careful to avoid making a universal statement (all, every, some, many, or no.) 7. The theme must pertain to the entire story. 8. Each reader may come up with a completely different theme.

Point of View The vantage point from which the story is told. Omniscient First-Person Limited Third Person

Omniscient “All knowing” “All knowing” Knows everything that is happening in the story Knows everything that is happening in the story Knows how every character thinks and feels Knows how every character thinks and feels Storyteller is outside the story, but may comment on the meaning of the story or make asides about the characters or events Storyteller is outside the story, but may comment on the meaning of the story or make asides about the characters or events

First-Person “I” “I” The character participates in the story The character participates in the story Draws the reader into the action Draws the reader into the action The reader only sees what the character (narrator) wants to see The reader only sees what the character (narrator) wants to see Remember though the narrator might not be objective Remember though the narrator might not be objective Most effective way to engage the reader Most effective way to engage the reader

Limited Third Person Outside observer tell the story Outside observer tell the story Tells the story from the vantage point of one character Tells the story from the vantage point of one character Never used the pronoun “I” Never used the pronoun “I” Pay attention to how much detail is revealed about each character to determine omniscient or third person Pay attention to how much detail is revealed about each character to determine omniscient or third person

Setting When and where the story takes place Creates atmosphere—feeling associated with a time and place Verisimilitude—a feeling of believability

Purpose of a Setting A background for action A background for action As the antagonist (Man v. Nature) As the antagonist (Man v. Nature) Creates appropriate atmosphere Creates appropriate atmosphere Reveals character identities (indirect) Reveals character identities (indirect) Reinforces themes Reinforces themes

Plot The framework of a story The framework of a story The arrangement of related events that makes the story “stick” together The arrangement of related events that makes the story “stick” together

Plot Map Exposition 4. Falling Action 2.Rising Action 5. Resolution 3.Climax (Denouement)

Exposition Presents the characters and the setting Presents the characters and the setting The setting may be used as a character The setting may be used as a character Sets the tone for the story Sets the tone for the story Tone is the attitude the author takes toward a subject or character Tone is the attitude the author takes toward a subject or character

Rising Action The complication is introduced here The complication is introduced here Types of Conflict Types of Conflict Internal (Man v. Himself) Internal (Man v. Himself) External External –Man V. Person –Man v. Nature –Man v. Machine –Man v. Society –Man v. Supernatural

Climax The most tense or exciting part of the story The most tense or exciting part of the story When something happens that decides the outcome of the story—the conflict is addressed When something happens that decides the outcome of the story—the conflict is addressed

Falling Action Events, that are the result of the climax, are put into play Events, that are the result of the climax, are put into play Characters deal with the consequences of the climax Characters deal with the consequences of the climax

Resolution (Denouement) The problem (conflict) in the story are resolved The problem (conflict) in the story are resolved The story is closed…or is it? The story is closed…or is it?