Short Story Elements

Character Characters are defined by- What they say What they do How they look Characters are defined by- What they say What they do How they look

Character cont… Protagonist-the main character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work. Antagonist- the opposing force to the protagonist. May/May not be human… Protagonist-the main character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work. Antagonist- the opposing force to the protagonist. May/May not be human…

Character cont… Static- a character that DOES NOT change internally throughout a literary work. Dynamic- a character that DOES change and grown internally throughout a work. Static- a character that DOES NOT change internally throughout a literary work. Dynamic- a character that DOES change and grown internally throughout a work.

Character cont… Round- a character whose personality, background, and motives are fully developed. Flat-a one-dimensional, often bland, character Round- a character whose personality, background, and motives are fully developed. Flat-a one-dimensional, often bland, character

Plot 1. Exposition- Introduces the story’s characters, setting, and situation. Setting- the locale or period in which the action of a work takes place: 2. Rising Action- Adds complications or problems to increase reader’s interest; a majority of events take place here. 1. Exposition- Introduces the story’s characters, setting, and situation. Setting- the locale or period in which the action of a work takes place: 2. Rising Action- Adds complications or problems to increase reader’s interest; a majority of events take place here.

Plot cont… 3. Climax-The point of the greatest emotional intensity, interest or suspense in a story. It is usually the turning point in a story – where the protagonist and antagonist collide. Conflict- the two opposing forces (protagonist/antagonist) Individual vs. __________ 3. Climax-The point of the greatest emotional intensity, interest or suspense in a story. It is usually the turning point in a story – where the protagonist and antagonist collide. Conflict- the two opposing forces (protagonist/antagonist) Individual vs. __________

Plot cont… 4. Falling Action- The action that immediately follows the climax. 5. Denouement- Presents the final outcome of the story. The “happily ever after” (though not always happy) 4. Falling Action- The action that immediately follows the climax. 5. Denouement- Presents the final outcome of the story. The “happily ever after” (though not always happy)

Literary Devices Flashback- a scene that has already taken place that interrupts the current timeline of the plot; gives useful information about characters or events.

Literary Devices Foreshadowing- a device that gives the reader a hint as to events to come in the work.

Literary Devices Irony- a contradiction between what was said or done and what the reader expected.

Literary Devices Theme- the author’s universal message found within a text. A comment about the world, relationships, or life. It is not directly stated, must be inferred.

Literary Devices Dialect-the way a character speaks based on his/her geographical location.

Literary Devices Mood- the reader’s response, emotionally, to a work Tone- the author’s attitude or style in his/her writing. Mood- the reader’s response, emotionally, to a work Tone- the author’s attitude or style in his/her writing.

Point of View 1. 1st person- use of 1st person pronouns. 2. 2nd person- use of you. 3. 3rd person objective -use of 3rd person pronouns BUT can only tell the reader what is observable. 4. 3rd person limited- use of 3rd person pronouns BUT can get into the thoughts and feelings of a few characters. 5. 3rd person omniscient- use of 3rd person pronouns BUT can get into the thoughts and feelings of ALL characters. 1. 1st person- use of 1st person pronouns. 2. 2nd person- use of you. 3. 3rd person objective -use of 3rd person pronouns BUT can only tell the reader what is observable. 4. 3rd person limited- use of 3rd person pronouns BUT can get into the thoughts and feelings of a few characters. 5. 3rd person omniscient- use of 3rd person pronouns BUT can get into the thoughts and feelings of ALL characters.