1. Elements of a Short Story
GRADE 9 ELA

2. “It appears evident, then, that there is a distinct limit, as regards length, to all works of literary art — the limit of a single sitting” – Edgar Allan Poe

3. What is a Short Story?
A form of prose writing that is often fictional and which is shorter than the novel, and novella
Shorter Length = More Investigative Reading
Requires the reader to think inferentially
Make judgments about character based on something like: How they act, How they dress

4. Elements of a Short story

5. Plot
All stories have a basic structure:
Beginning
Middle
End

6. Plot
In literary texts, such as short stories, a story is crafted upon a plot.
Plot – the author’s arrangement of events that make up the action of the story.

7. Plot Highest point of action/tension in a text CLIMAX Rising Action:
Obstacles
Complications
Problems
Falling Action:
Leads to conclusion
Tying up of loose ends
Sharp decline is dramatic tension
Resolution/Conclusion:
Pulls together story
Ending by return
Theme?
Ending?
Introduction:
Background info
Characters
Setting

8. Setting The time of a story: Think: ERA (Ex: 1940s)
(PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE)
Place(s) of a story: Where is the story set?
Remember, setting can be very helpful in establishing mood and tone:
Think: An island setting can create a sense of loneliness, and isolation.
Setting may also be a factor in the conflict

9. Characters Stories need characters Major Characters:
Protagonist – good guy/gal
Antagonist – bad guy/gal/force
Minor Characters (Supporting Actors!)
How are characters developed?

10. Characterization
Characterization – the way an author describes the characters in his or her story
Direct characterization – when the author tells you something directly about the character:
“She has icy blue eyes”
Indirect characterization – when the reader must infer details based on characters’ thoughts, actions, and appearance.
“He wore a leather jacket with a skull on the back”

11. Conflict Conflict is necessary in a short story
Conflict is what moves a story ahead
Creates tension, obstacles, problems for the story’s protagonist
2 types of conflict: Internal and External

12. Internal Conflict Intrapersonal Character vs. Self
Characters are often faced with internal struggles based on choices and actions
Point of View can be very helpful to remember for this type of conflict.

13. External Conflict Interpersonal (Character vs. Character)
Batman vs. Joker
Character vs. Nature
Brian vs. Boreal Forest/Bears etc. in Hatchet
Character vs. Society
Katniss vs. The Capitol
Think of social injustices here

14. Point of View Who is telling the story? Who is the narrator?
1st person: Use of pronoun “I”
Benefits:
Intimate
Trust with reader
Feel like an accomplice
Common

15. Point of View 3rd person limited: Think – Observer/Bystander
Second hand account
Sometimes from a minor character’s perspective
Hard to distinguish
Limited to one character’s thoughts
Use of “he, she, they”

16. Point of View 3rd person Omniscient – All Knowing
Think ‘BOB COLE’ or another famous sports commentator
Not based as much on characters’ internal thoughts, more external description of events

17. Point of View A common question in ELA is:
Is the point of view effective?
How would we answer that?

18. Theme Theme – the main message, or idea, in a text.
Always look for clues for a potential theme in the story
Universal Ideas:
Good and Evil
Love and Hate
Relationships
Struggles for Surivial
Etc.

19. Writing Dialogue
One of the important aspects of narrative writing is dialogue.
Remember, dialogue is a conversation between 2 characters.
Skilled writers use dialogue to portray character and to dramatize conflict
It’s important to remember that a change in the person speaking, also means a NEW paragraph.

20. Sample Dialogue
Mr. Churchill said to Nolan, “That was a hard loss for the Leafs last night.” “Yes, Mr. Churchill, they didn’t play very well.” “I think they can still beat Boston. Perhaps they will play better on Saturday night.” “I hope so Mr. Churchill. Well, I better get going for lunch.”

21. Dialogue
Notice how there is a new paragraph each time the speaker changes.
Notice the use of quotation marks for what the characters are saying.
It’s important to distinguish when to use quotation marks depending on your choice of Point of View.

22. Paragraphs
Paragraphs are an ABSOLUTELY crucial element of organized writing.
Paragraphs are used to indicate:
Change in Subject
Change in Time
Change in Speaker

23. Activity Create a short dialogue between 2 characters
When finished, exchange your dialogue with a partner
Review your partner’s dialogue for the following:
Correct use of Quotation Marks
Correct use of Paragraphs
Check for: Capitalization, Punctuation, Spelling, and Sentence Fluency