The Short Story English I

The Definition Short Story- a fictional prose narrative containing less than ____________words Fictional= Prose= Narrative=

The Definition Short Story- a fictional prose narrative containing less than __20,000____words Fictional= Prose= Narrative=

The Definition Short Story- a fictional prose narrative containing less than __20,000____words Fictional= not true Prose= Narrative=

The Definition Short Story- a fictional prose narrative containing less than __20,000____words Fictional= not true Prose= written in paragraph form Narrative=

The Definition Short Story- a fictional prose narrative containing less than __20,000____words Fictional= not true Prose= written in paragraph form Narrative= meaning story with characters, plot, etc.

General Facts about Short Stories A short story usually has: Very few ________________ A single _________________ One major _______________

General Facts about Short Stories A short story usually has: Very few __characters______ A single _________________ One major _______________

General Facts about Short Stories A short story usually has: Very few __characters______ A single ___setting_________ One major _______________

General Facts about Short Stories A short story usually has: Very few __characters______ A single ___setting_________ One major _conflict or incident_

The Elements of a Short Story

The Elements of a Short Story 1. Setting

The Elements of a Short Story 1. Setting 2. Characterization

The Elements of a Short Story 1. Setting 2. Characterization 3. Theme 4. 5

The Elements of a Short Story 1. Setting 2. Characterization 3. Theme 4. Point of View 5.

The Elements of a Short Story 1. Setting 2. Characterization 3. Theme 4. Point of View 5. Plot

1. Setting Setting= the _________, _________ and general background information in a story Example- a town, city, or country Example- a historical time period Example- a particular social status or lifestyle

1. Setting Setting= the __time___, __place__ and general background information in a story Example- a town, city, or country Example- a historical time period Example- a particular social status or lifestyle

The Purposes of a Setting

The Purposes of a Setting 1. Establishes the story’s mood or atmosphere

The Purposes of a Setting 1. Establishes the story’s mood or atmosphere 2. Enhances or brings characters to life 3. 4.

The Purposes of a Setting 1. Establishes the story’s mood or atmosphere 2. Enhances or brings characters to life 3. Creates an illusion of reality (makes the story more believable, more real) 4.

The Purposes of a Setting 1. Establishes the story’s mood or atmosphere 2. Enhances or brings characters to life 3. Creates an illusion of reality (makes the story more believable, more real) 4. May be used ironically to contrast the action in the story and make it more dramatic or complex

A few examples of techniques to create an effective setting Film directors use many of the same techniques writers use to create an atmosphere. Visual Surroundings and Sounds…

2.Characterization Characterization- the method an author uses to acquaint his or her readers with the characters in the story Example: Pieces of information in the story that let the reader know about a character

Types of Characterization ____________________- the author gives clues about the character but places the burden for understanding the character upon the reader. Example: Clues given through a character’s actions, words, etc.

Types of Characterization __Indirect Characterization _- the author gives clues about the character but places the burden for understanding the character upon the reader. Example: Clues given through a character’s actions, words, hobbies, etc.

Types of Characterization _____________________- the author clearly states the entire description of a character. Example: “The man was tired; he had not slept in days.”

Types of Characterization ___Direct Characterization__- the author clearly states the entire description of a character. Example: “The man was tired; he had not slept in days.”

Methods of Characterization 1. The character’s _______________ (what the character looks like)

Methods of Characterization 1. The character’s ___description________ (what the character looks like)

Methods of Characterization 1. The character’s ___description________ (what the character looks like) 2. The character’s ________________, what he or she ______________, and what he or she ______________ (as portrayed through events in the story)

Methods of Characterization 1. The character’s ___description________ (what the character looks like) 2. The character’s __thoughts__________, what he or she __says________, and what he or she ____does_________ (as portrayed through events in the story)

Methods of Characterization 1. The character’s ___description________ (what the character looks like) 2. The character’s __thoughts__________, what he or she __says________, and what he or she ____does_________ (as portrayed through events in the story) 3. What the author directly tells the reader

Methods of Characterization 1. The character’s ___description________ (what the character looks like) 2. The character’s __thoughts__________, what he or she __says________, and what he or she ____does_________ (as portrayed through events in the story) 3. What the author directly tells the reader 4. The character’s ____________

Methods of Characterization 1. The character’s ___description________ (what the character looks like) 2. The character’s __thoughts__________, what he or she __says________, and what he or she ____does_________ (as portrayed through events in the story) 3. What the author directly tells the reader 4. The character’s _name___________

Tests to Determine the Main Character 1. He or she will be in ________________ scenes in the story.

Tests to Determine the Main Character 1. He or she will be in __most or all_____ scenes in the story.

Tests to Determine the Main Character 1. He or she will be in __most or all_____ scenes in the story. 2. Something will happen to the character either ____________________.

Tests to Determine the Main Character 1. He or she will be in __most or all_____ scenes in the story. 2. Something will happen to the character either __mentally or physically___________.

Tests to Determine the Main Character 1. He or she will be in __most or all_____ scenes in the story. 2. Something will happen to the character either __mentally or physically___________. 3. He or she will make a _________ or important decision and cause the action in the story.

Tests to Determine the Main Character 1. He or she will be in __most or all_____ scenes in the story. 2. Something will happen to the character either __mentally or physically___________. 3. He or she will make a __key_______ or important decision and cause the action in the story.

3. Theme Theme- the central idea, universal truth, or “message” within the story The theme of the story may be ____________ or ______________.

3. Theme Theme- the central idea, universal truth, or “message” within the story The theme of the story may be __clearly stated__ or ___implied____. Implied themes are suggested indirectly through the experiences of the characters or through the events and setting of the work.

Application of Theme A story’s theme is the idea you can take from the story and apply within some part of your life- or to humanity in general. Example: The “moral” of the story. Examples of general themes: Friendship Love Revenge Growing up

4. Point of View Point of view- the voice of the story; the author’s choice of narrator for the story

Types of Point of View ________________- an actual character within the story (a limited point of view) Example: “Scout” in To Kill a Mockingbird- she tells the story from her point of view

Types of Point of View __First Person_______- an actual character within the story (a limited point of view) Example: “Scout” in To Kill a Mockingbird- she tells the story from her point of view

Types of Point of View _________________- “all knowing,” the narrator stands out of the story and knows everything about all of the characters and action This point of view is also called _________________ ______________________________. Example: In “Star Wars,” words scroll across the screen at the beginning telling us the background story… “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” (Lucas)

Types of Point of View __Omniscient________- “all knowing,” the narrator stands out of the story and knows everything about all of the characters and action This point of view is also called ___third person ____omniscient______________. Example: In “Star Wars,” words scroll across the screen at the beginning telling us the background story… “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” (Lucas)

Types of Point of View _____________________- the narrator is outside of the story and only has a limited amount of information (ex. only about one character or event). This is also called ____________________________. Example: The short story, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”

Types of Point of View ___Limited Omniscient_____- the narrator is outside of the story and only has a limited amount of information (ex. only about one character or event). This is also called __third person limited omniscient _______. Example: The short story, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”

Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the a causal arrangement of events and actions within a story. 5.Plot Structure through Short Stories (Source adapted from: Readwritethink.com, used with permission)

Types of Linear Plots Plots can be told in Chronological order Flashback In media res (in the middle of things) when the story starts in the middle of the action without exposition

Pyramid Plot Structure The most basic and traditional form of plot is pyramid-shaped. This structure has been described in more detail by Aristotle and by Gustav Freytag.

Aristotle’s Unified Plot The basic triangle-shaped plot structure was described by Aristotle in 350 BCE. Aristotle used the beginning, middle, and end structure to describe a story that moved along a linear path, following a chain of cause and effect as it works toward the solution of a conflict or crisis.

Freytag’s Plot Structure Freytag modified Aristotle’s system by adding a rising action (or complication) and a falling action to the structure. Freytag used the five-part design shown above to describe a story’s plot.

Modified Plot Structure Freytag’s Pyramid is often modified so that it extends slightly before and after the primary rising and falling action. You might think of this part of the chart as similar to the warm-up and cool-down for the story.

Plot Components Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads (Dénouement) Conflict / Inciting Incident: something that captures the reader’s attention and keeps the story moving

Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

Types of Conflict Human vs. Nature Human vs. Society Human vs. Self Internal Conflict Human vs. Human Interpersonal / External Conflict