1. Essential Unit 1: The Short Story LITERARY DEVICES: Key Terms & Concepts

2. AUTHORS USE LITERARY ELEMENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR SHORT STORY. THEY ARE CRUCIAL TO THE STORY’S SUCCESS. Literary Elements of a Short Story

3. Common Literary Elements Plot Setting Protagonist Antagonist Narrator Conflict Mood Theme Logical sequence of events that develop the story. The time and place in which the story occurs. The main character in a story. The character in conflict with the protagonist. A person who tells the story. An issue or ‘problem’ around which the whole story revolves. The general atmosphere of the story. A central idea or concept of the story.

4. Definition: 2 Types of Characterization: The step-by-step process in which an author introduces and then describes a character. Can be done directly or indirectly Direct – The author describes what he/she wants us to know about the character Indirect – The author unveils the character’s traits and personality through actions, thoughts and speech of the character or other characters in the story. Characterization

5. 5 Methods of Characterization 1. Physical Description 2. Action/Attitude/Behavior of Character 3. Inner thoughts of Character 4. Speech of Character 5. Reactions of Other Characters …which methods are direct and which are indirect?

6. 2 Types of Characters Static: A character who undergoes little or no inner change; does not grow or develop. Dynamic: A character who undergoes dramatic inner change; encounters conflict and is changed by it. Flat: A minor character in the story, who is not fully developed or described. Flat: A minor character in the story, who is not fully developed or described. Round: A fully developed, described character, usually who undergoes some change in the story; most relatable. Round: A fully developed, described character, usually who undergoes some change in the story; most relatable.

7. Internal External Psychological conflict that occurs within a character experiencing two opposite emotions or desires. Can cause mental agony. Develops a unique tension in a storyline marked by a lack of action. The character is in struggle with outside forces that hamper his progress in the story. Protagonist vs. Antagonist (common) Can be another character, force of nature, etc. 2 Types of Conflict

8. Suspense Intense feeling an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events. Helps to build to climax and resolution of story. Leave reader holding breath. Ex. Cliffhangers… How do writers create suspense in a TV show or movie? How do you think authors create suspense in a story?

9. Diction

10. USED TO ENHANCE A STORY – THE TOOLS TO HELP ACHIEVE ARTISTIC ENDS OR TO PROVIDE GREATER OR DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ELEMENTS IN THE STORY. Literary Techniques in a Short Story “I LITERALLY have butterflies in my stomach right now!” … … … “No, no, you don’t.” “I LITERALLY have butterflies in my stomach right now!” … … … “No, no, you don’t.”

11. Simile: A stated comparison between two unlike things that have certain qualities in common…usuall y formed with “LIKE” or “AS”. Examples:  “Those cats were fast as lightening!”  “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”  They were like two peas in a pod.  She tucked her baby in and said, “Snug as a bug in a rug!”

12. Metaphor: An implied comparison between two unlike things that actually have something in common. Examples: "Love is a homeless guy searching for treasure in the middle of the rain and finding a bag of gold coins and slowly finding out they're all filled with chocolate and even though his heart is as broken as a plate on the ground, he can't complain because he was hungry in the first place." (Bo Burnham, "Love Is") “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.” Shakespeare, As You Like It

13. Hyperbole: An extravagant statement; the use of exaggeration to make a point or to add heightened effect. Examples:  “I’ve told you a million times!”  “I had a ton of homework.”  “If I can’t have that new game, I’ll die!”  “I’m starving! I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” “’Love has no ending. I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you ‘til China and Africa meet, And the river jumps over the mountain And the salmon sing in the street, I’ll love you ‘til the ocean Is folded and hung up to dry And the seven stars go squawking Like geese about the sky.’” W.H. Auden, “As I Walked Out One Evening”

14. Personification: A figure of speech that gives human qualities to inanimate objects, to animals or to ideas. Examples:  The engine roared!  The wind whispered through the trees.  The flame danced violently.  The moon is chasing me.  The cat taught the dog a lesson.  Your silence speaks volumes. “When it comes, the Landscape listens – Shadows – hold their breath – When it goes, ‘tis like the Distance On the look of Death – ” Emily Dickinson, “There’s a certain Slant of light”

15. Foreshadowing: Suggests an upcoming outcome in the story. Hints or clues provided, usually subtly implied, by the author without revealing the story or spoiling the suspense. Examples:

16. Imagery: The author uses words or phrases to create a mental picture for the reader. Helps the reader to visualize. Often appeals to the five senses. Examples: The gushing brook stole its way down the lush green mountains, dotted with tiny flowers in a riot of colors and trees coming alive with gaily chirping birds.

17. Flashback: Author describes past events, usually to provide more information on the current situation in the story. Also used to create suspense, provide foreshadowing, etc. Examples: