1. What is a Short Story?
For Sale: baby shoes, never worn Ernest Hemingway

2. Objectives for this Lesson
SOL 9.4: The student will read, comprehend, and analyze a variety of literary texts including narratives, narrative nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
a) Identify author’s main idea and purpose.
b) Summarize text relating the supporting details.
c) Identify the characteristics that distinguish literary forms.
d) Use literary terms in describing and analyzing selections.
e) Explain the relationships between and among elements of literature: characters, plot, setting, tone, point of view, and theme.

3. In other words… We are going to define what a short story is.
If we know what it is, and what makes it what it is, then we can “identify” what it is and “distinguish” it from other literary forms. (SOL 9.4c)
We are going to identify the parts of a short story (SOL 9.4c) using the appropriate literary terms (SOL 9.4d).
We are going to use these parts and terms to analyze the story. (SOL 9.4e)
We are going to analyze the story (SOL 9.4d), so that we can determine what the author’s main idea and purpose are (SOL 9.4a).
Lastly, to support our conclusion about the author’s main idea and purpose, we are going to use contextual evidence from the text to support our claims. (SOL 9.4b)

4. Ok then, what is a short story?

5. Here’s a more official definition…
Definition of the Short Story
A short story is a piece of prose fiction which can be read at a single sitting.
It mostly shows a decisive moment of life (which can entail a fatal blow).
There is often little action, hardly any character development, but we get a snapshot of life (slice-of-life story).
Its plot is not very complex (in contrast to the novel), but it creates a unified impression and leaves us with a vivid sensation rather than a number of remembered facts.
There is a limited set of characters, one single action and a simple plot (often: exposition, complication, crisis, sad / happy ending).
A short story very often has an open or abrupt beginning and an open or surprise ending.
A short story is restricted to one setting only (fixed place and time, social surroundings).

6. So, what are the parts of a short story??

7. The parts of a short story are…
Characters
Setting
Plot
Point of View
Conflict
Theme

8. The parts of a short story are…
Characters
The representation of a person in a narrative work of art.
Types of Characters
Static: a literary or dramatic character who undergoes little or no inner change; a character who does not grow or develop.
Dynamic: a literary or dramatic character who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude
Round: a character in a work of fiction who encounters conflict and is changed by it. Round characters tend to be more fully developed and described. They are multi-faceted and multi-dimensional.
Flat: a character in a work of fiction who does not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story.

9. The parts of a short story are…
Setting
The setting includes the historical moment in time and geographic location in which a story takes place, and helps initiate the main backdrop and mood for a story.
Things to Consider About the Setting
Time: During what time period does this story take place? Historical context contributes to the setting.
Place: What geographical location does the setting take place? Geographical location adds relevance to the setting by revealing language, culture, and topographical features that may prove important to moving the plot along and enhancing characters.
Mood: How does the story feel to the reader? What is the author doing to make the reader feel this way?

10. The parts of a short story are…
Plot
The chain of related events that take place in a story.
Parts of the Plot
The turning point of the story; suspense reaches its peak
climax
falling action
rising action
Introduces complications; builds suspense
Resolves the conflict
resolution
Gives the background of the story.
Usually ties up loose ends
exposition

11. The parts of a short story are…
Point of View
The narrator’s position in relation to the story being told. In other words, who is telling the story.
Three Narrative Points of View
1st Person: The narrator is a character in the story and uses 1st person pronouns (I, me, my, we, us, our) to refer to himself or herself. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character and speaks directly to the audience.
3rd Person Limited: Narrator does not participate in the action of the story, nor does he/she refer to himself/herself. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character, but there is emotional distance from that character.
3rd Person Omniscient: Narrator does not participate in the action of the story, nor does he/she refer to himself/herself. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters. The reader gets insight into several characters through this point of view.

12. The parts of a short story are…
Conflict
The struggle in a story between two opposing forces.
Two Types of Conflict
External: The conflict a character has with someone or something else.
Human vs. Human Human vs. Nature
Human vs. Society Human vs. Technology
Human vs. Supernatural Group vs. Group
Internal: The conflict a character has within themselves. The struggle a character has within their mind.

13. The parts of a short story are…
Theme
Themes are universal understandings, beliefs, truths, or observations that authors make about life and want to share with their audiences.
Things to Know About Themes
They can never just be one word! Themes cannot be things like: love, hate, justice. Themes are understandings, truths, or observations about these one word ideas.
They must usually be inferred. While it would be much more straightforward to come out and tell you their theme, sometimes a message warrants a little more effort, creativity, and discovery.
Themes can be revealed in many ways. This is what we use the literary devices (tone, details, mood, personification, symbolism, characterization, imagery, figurative language, etc…) for. Through proper analysis, they help uncover the message/theme.

14. Do these then qualify as short stories??
For sale: baby shoes, never worn Ernest Hemingway
Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so Joss Whedon
Longed for him. Got him. Darn Margaret Atwood
K.I.A. Baghdad, Aged 18 - Closed Casket Richard K. Morgan
whorl. Help! I'm caught in a time Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel
Dorothy: “Forget it, I'll stay here.“ Steven Meretzky