1. The Short Story

2. Short Stories are… less complex than novels. have a single plot.
have a single setting.
have a limited number of characters.
cover a short period of time.

3. Elements of a Short Story
There are certain things that make a short story what it is.
Setting
Plot
Conflict
Character
Point of View
Theme

4. Setting The time, place, and surroundings of a story.
Usually limited due to short time frame.

5. Plot The sequence of events that make up the story.
Usually five main stages in the plot:
Introduction (Exposition)/ Inciting Incident
Complication / Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution (denouement)

6. Plot of Events Climax Complication Falling Action Introduction
Resolution

7. Character
The creatures, either human or non-human, that create and experience the story.
Protagonist
Antagonist

8. Conflict Essential to plot.
The disagreements between characters or forces.
Builds tension in a story.

9. Types of Conflict External Internal Character vs. Character
Character vs. Circumstances
Character vs. Society
Character vs. Nature
Internal
Character vs. Self

10. Narrator The person and/or character telling the story.
Can speak from a number of different points of view.

11. Points of View First Person Third Person Omniscient objective
Omniscient limited
Omniscient objective

12. Theme
A broad idea, message, or lesson the author explores with his/her story.
Not to be confused with the conflict or subject with which the story deals.
The message the author is making about the issue, problem, or subject.

13. Common Themes Love is blind Believe in yourself
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Things are not always as they appear to be.

14. Literary Devices Say what?
The parts of the story that create depth and make it more complex.
Flashback
Foreshadowing
Symbolism
Irony

15. Flashback
When the author interrupts the plot to show the reader an incident from an earlier time.
Gives the reader a memory.
Provides the reader with more information.

16. Foreshadowing
When the author gives the reader a clue or hint about what is going to happen later in the story.

17. Symbolism
Objects or characters that represent something beyond their face value.
Can be words, images, objects, settings, events, or characters.

18. Irony
There are 3 types of irony:
Verbal
Dramatic
Situational

19. Verbal Irony
Contrast between what is said and what is meant.
Sarcasm

20. Dramatic Irony
The contrast between what the character thinks to be true and what we (the reader) know to be true.
Example: soap operas

21. Situational Irony
the contrast between what happens and what was expected.
Example: pranks that backfire.
Most common in literature.