1. Flash Fiction Unit: Plot and Structure (from Burroway)
English III H
Flash Fiction Unit:
Plot and Structure (from Burroway)

2. Bellwork
Take out your composition book or some notebook paper for notes.
Discuss in your group:
Aristotle said that to be complete a story must simply have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
What do you think a story needs to have?

3. Basically, all stories must…
have a narrator; that is, someone who tells the story;
have at least one character in them;
have some action occur (or perhaps fail to occur);
take place somewhere; that is, there is a setting for the action;
and someone either learns something or fails to learn something (theme).
Today, we’re going to focus on 3 elements: conflict, crisis, & resolution.

4. Conflict, Crisis, Resolution
Conflict - A conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. There are two main kinds of conflict in stories: external and internal
External
Internal
Man against man
Man against himself
Man against nature
Man against society
Man against machine
Man against God

5. Definitions Continued
Crisis –the final turning point of the conflict.
Resolution –the conflict is resolved somehow, though not always closed or happy.

6. “The Arc of the Story”: Plotting the Plot
Story Form as an Inverted Check Mark
Conflict
Complications
(includes narrative hook and rising action)
Crisis (includes climax)
Resolution
Falling Action
Source: Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway (6th ed.)

7. Cinderella’s story Plotted
Conflict
Complications
(includes narrative hook and rising action)
Crisis
the slipper fits
Resolution
And they live happily ever after
(Falling Action)
wedding
Stepmother
Cinderella
You can’t go
Invitation to ball
Be home by midnight
Fairy Godmother
Clock strikes 12
Prince falls in love with C.
You may not
Everyone must try the slipper
Source: Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway (6th ed.)

8. Advice from the Expert
Ok, so now you know what basic elements your story must have.
The question is, how do you write a GOOD short story?
Let’s hear Kurt Vonnegut’s advice on writing a good short story.
Kurt Vonnegut was one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century. He wrote such works as Cat's Cradle (1963), Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), and Breakfast of Champions (1973) blending satire, black comedy, and science fiction.
Wikipedia contributors. "Kurt Vonnegut." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 25 Mar Web. 30 Mar

9. Recap: Vonnegut’s Advice
Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.
Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.
Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.
Every sentence must do one of two things: reveal character or advance the action.
Start as close to the end as possible.
Be a sadist.
Write to please just one person.
Give your readers as much information as soon as possible.

10. Sample Professional Flash Fiction
“The Zombie Of His Early Days” by Tom Crosshill

11. Zombies!
How does the professional flash fiction story we just read follow Vonnegut’s advice?
Can you identify the Conflict, Crisis, and Resolution?
What is the conflict of the story?
What is the crisis?
What is the resolution?

12. Sample Student Flash Fiction
“My First and Last Cave Adventure” by Brittany Jackson

13. Student Flash fiction
How does the student-written flash fiction story we just read follow Vonnegut’s advice?
Can you identify the Conflict, Crisis, and Resolution?
What is the conflict of the story?
What is the crisis?
What is the resolution?

14. Assignment
Modeled off of Round 3 of NPR’s three-minute fiction contest.
First, you will choose an inspirational image that is begging to have its story told.
Does not have to include people.
Can be a photo you took.
Can be one you found online.
You will use the inverted checkmark to create a detailed outline your plot.
Quiz grade
Then you will write a draft in class.

15. Reminders Homework this weekend:
Find and print three possible inspirational photos for your story; bring them to class Wednesday.