1 Elements of a Short Story

Outline Short Story Definition Theme & Setting Characters and Point of View Characterization Plot

Definition A short story is : a brief work of fiction where, usually, the main character faces a conflict that is worked out in the plot of the story

THEME The main idea of a literary work, usually expressed as a generalization (in a complete sentence). Ex. Aging is a price worth paying if you’re buying wisdom. SETTING The time, place, and mood in which a work of literature happens.

CHARACTERS The people (or actors) in the story. POINT OF VIEW The story teller from whose point of view the story is being told, the narrator.

6 Point of View 1ST PART First Person – Does participate in action, Question the trustworthiness* Key words include “I” “We” “Us” Second Person - Rarely used except in choose your own adventure books. Key words include all variation of “You” Third Person – Not a participant in action, lets us know how characters feel. Key word include “he” “she” “they” 6

Point of View 2ND PART Objective – Writer tells what happens. Omniscient/Limited Omniscie nt – Narrator is all knowing/Narrator is all knowing about ONE character PUTTING THEM TOGETHER Ex. 3rd Person Omniscient

CHARACTERIZATION The description of the personalities of the characters in the story and the way in which an author reveals their personalities. This could be through a character’s actions, words, thoughts, feelings, what other character’s say, or even items on a character’s person.

Characterization What can you tell about the person in the picture by his body language? What else about him reveals his personality?

Genres YgigYTqF9Mhttps:// YgigYTqF9M Netflix users should know all about genres…. 10

Pacing Length of paragraphs, sentences, and even words affect pacing Lack of or presence of description How much action is presented in a paragraph or sentence Compare it to the length of shots in movies and camera movement – SLOWhttps:// WU - FASThttps:// WU 11

Complex Character 12 Flat Character

Parallel Plot (Most good movies utilize a parallel plot of some kind) Flashback Consecutive stories Fractured tandem Tandem narrative Multiple protagonist narrative Double journey narrative 13