Elements of a Short Story

Short story definition an invented prose narrative that is shorter than a novel can be read in one sitting usually deals with a few characters often concentrates on the creation of mood rather than plot

Plot The chain of related events that take place in a story. Built around conflict

Plot Graph climax falling action rising action resolution exposition

Exposition- gives the background of the story Rising Action- introduces complications; builds suspense Climax- the turning point of the story suspense reaches its peak Falling Action and Resolution resolves the conflict ties up loose ends

Conflict Struggle between opposing forces. Complications build the reader’s excitement

Types of Conflict External -Man vs. Man -Man vs. Nature -Man vs. Obstacle or Society -Man vs. Fate Internal -Man vs. 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

Types of Characters Main or Minor Protagonist or Antagonist Round or Flat Dynamic or Static *Stereotypes=Stock Characters*

Setting time and place puts the reader in the story by giving the reader the feeling of being in the situation. creates atmosphere by the positive or negative feelings associated with the place.

Point of View Who is telling the story? the vantage point from which the story is told determines how much we, the readers, know about the characters

1st Person Narrator is a character in the story. Narrator uses first-person pronouns, I, me, my, we, us, our to refer to himself or herself. Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character and speaks directly to reader.

3rd Person Limited Narrator does not participate in action of story. Narrator does not refer to himself or herself. Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character, but readers are able to maintain some emotional distance from the character.

3rd Person Omniscient Narrator does not participate in action of story. Narrator does not refer to himself or herself. Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters; readers get insight into several characters.

What is a symbol?

A symbol is a person, a place, an activity, or an object that stands for something beyond itself. A motif is a recurring element that help to develop the novel’s themes. Example: Birds are a motif in Alfred Hitchcock’s films.

Symbols Some clues that an element may have symbolic significance: REPETITION EMPHASIS ASSOCIATION WITH SOMETHING ELSE IN THE NOVEL (CONSISTENT OR REPEATED) AN INEXPLICABLE OR UNUSUAL QUALITY

Theme In literature, theme is a perception about life or human nature that the writer wants to share with the reader. In most cases, the theme is not stated directly but must be inferred. Themes can be revealed by a story’s title key phrases and statements about big ideas the ways the characters change and the lessons they learn about life