1. Short Story Unit

2. Genre
A category of literature
Example: short story, poetry, or drama

3. Short Story Definition
a fictional, prose, narrative of 12,000 words or less
Fictional: not true
Prose: written in sentences and paragraphs
Narrative: tells a story

4. Plot
The sequence of events (action) in a narrative
Plotline Model

5. Flashbacks and Foreshadowing
Flashback: A scene that interrupts the action of a story to tell about events that happened at an earlier time
Example: In the Lion King, during Simba’s fight with Scar, Simba is hanging over the edge of the cliff and the movie uses a flashback to revert to the scene where Mufasa was hanging in a similar way.

6. Flashbacks and Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing- Clues that hint at actions that are to follow in the story
Example: Horror movies – any time a blonde screams at the beginning, she’ll be dead before the end of movie

7. Figures of Speech literary devices used by an author
simile- A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
Example: You eat like a pig.
metaphor- A comparison between two unlike things without using like or as.
Example: You’re such a pig.

8. Figures of Speech
imagery- language that appeals to the five senses-taste, touch, sight, smell, hearing
Example: mouth-watering chocolate; slick and glistening streets

9. Figures of Speech
irony- A contrast between what is stated and what is really meant, or between what is expected to happen and what actually happens
Example: Calling a 6’6’’ guy “shorty” /
A guy gives up drinking, then he’s killed when a beer truck hits him.

10. Theme
the message or messages the author is trying to show the reader

11. Point of View the position from which the story is told to the reader
First person- the narrator is a character in the story
Innocent eye- 1st person- when the narrator is a child in the story
Example: The Wonder Years; A Christmas Story; Malcolm in the Middle

12. Point of View Third person- the narrator is outside the story
Omniscient- all knowing; the narrator is outside the story and tells the reader everything
Example: The beginning of Beauty and the Beast starts with a hand opening a book and stating, “Once upon a time…”
Limited Omniscient- narrator tells most of the story

13. Types of Conflict
Internal- a person is in conflict within himself (character vs. self)
Example: Simba’s inner struggle to get over his guilt and decide whether or not to face his past by returning to the pride.

14. Types of Conflict External- conflict arises from the outside
character vs. character- conflict between two characters
Example: Simba versus Scar
character vs. nature- conflict between character and nature
Example: Survivor; The Amazing Race

15. Types of Conflict
character vs. society- conflict between character and society
Example: In Beauty and the Beast, the Beast struggles to fit into society despite his looks.
character vs. supernatural- conflict between ghosts, etc
Example: Aliens; Terminator

16. Character Types
static- Character’s personality does not change throughout the story
Example: Throughout the movie, Finding Nemo, Nemo remains courageous and adventurous.

17. Character Types
dynamic- Character undergoes a change in attitude or personality
Example: In Finding Nemo, Marlin (Nemo’s dad) changes as he learns to not let fear control his life.

18. Character Types
stereotype- the character represents an entire group of people
Example: The show/movie Clueless has the “ditzy blonde” stereotype.

19. Characterization
the way the author presents the character to the reader
direct-the author states in the text what the character is like
Example: Henry is not intelligent.

20. Characterization
indirect- the character states what he or she is feeling
Example: “Boy, Henry you’re not too smart.”
inferred- the reader has to arrive at the conclusion by interpreting the character’s actions
Example: Henry forgot to do his homework every day.

21. Aspects of A Character
physical- characteristics such as height, weight, hair, and eye color
Example: Belle from Beauty and the Beast has brown hair, thin, dainty-like
psychological-what is going on in the character’s mind and how he thinks, acts, and behaves
Example: Belle is smart, kind, compassionate, open-minded

22. Aspects of A Character
sociological- where a character actually fits into society
Example: Beast from Beauty and the Beast is ostracized/shunned by society because of his looks

23. Aspects of A Character
PROTAGONIST- Central character in a work of literature (not necessarily a hero or “good guy”)
Example: Simba
ANTAGONIST- Character who opposes the protagonist
Example: Scar

24. Levels of Understanding
literal level- what the story is about- the plot line/surface level
interpretative level- the author’s
message(s) and understanding
applied level- how do those messages apply to your own personal life and to our society

25. Tone and Atmosphere Tone- the author’s attitude toward his subject
Atmosphere- mood
Example: scary, happy, sad, etc.

26. World Views How the author feels toward life and existence
Romantic- positive; good, capable of change, happy endings, etc (Disney)

27. World Views
Realistic- no emotions, facts only, no “good” or “bad” (Newspaper)
Naturalistic- negative, people are not good; man is trapped in a mechanized society and can’t help himself

28. Epiphany
a sudden understanding of something you didn’t understand before (AHA! Moment)