Short Stories

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Short Stories

• A definition and explanation

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What is the difference?

• Short stories are shorter in length and therefore
  have different obstacles they need to confront
• Due to their length short stories
• Limit the Number of Characters
• Limit the Range of Settings
• Limit the Scope and Action

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Definition

• A short story can simply be defined as a work of
  literature that is intended to be read at one
  sitting.

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Key Elements

• Plot- The sequence of events

Conflict- A problem or struggle
Setting- Time and place of the action
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Plot
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Plot

• Exposition
• Background information
• Example- Finding Nemo We see the reason that
  Nemos father is over protective and what
  happened to his mother.
• The information contains the following but is not
  limited to- Introduction of characters,
  description of setting, and showing the conflict.

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Plot

• Initial Incident
• This is the starting point, or beginning action,
  of the story. Past this point there is no
  return.
• Example This is the point where Nemo goes to
  touch the butt. Once he does this it sets a
  chain of events in motion.

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Plot

• Rising Action
• This is the meat of the story.
• This is where the majority of the events take
  place.
• Example This is where Nemo is in the fish tank
  and his father is searching for him.

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Plot

• Climax
• The high point of the story.
• This is the point where you are sitting on the
  edge of your seat!
• Example Nemo tries to convince his Dad to swim
  towards the bottom of the net. This is the point
  where his Dad must come to terms with his
  conflict!

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Plot

• Falling Action
• These are the events that end in solving the
  storys problem.
• These are the events that lead to the resolution.
• Example Nemo and his father discuss what
  happened while they were apart.

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Plot

• Resolution
• This is where all problems are wrapped up in a
  perfect little bow!
• Events and problems are understood and solved.
• Example Nemos Dad realizes that though he has
  physical handicaps that he is capable and
  deserves to be treated with respect.

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Conflict

• Most plots center around a conflict
• A conflict is defined as a problem or struggle.
• Example Nemo struggles to be independent while
  his father attempts protect him from the real
  world.

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Conflict

• There are 2 main types of conflicts
• Internal Conflict- The struggle within a
  character
• Nemos internal conflict is that he believes he
  is not capable and cant do things due to his
  disability.
• External Conflict- A struggle between 2
  characters, between one person and a group or
  against nature/forces
• Nemo has a conflict with being confined in a fish
  tank.

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Setting

• Setting is defined as the time and place of the
  story.
• Settings can be in any time period and may change
  time periods through the story.
• They can occur at different times of day or
  different seasons

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Setting

• The place of a story can change throughout the
  piece.
• The setting can refer to geographical location or
  the location within a social class.
• Setting is not limited to physical location.

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Other Important Terms

• Tone Writers attitude (formal/informal,
  sarcastic, sorrowful)
• Protagonist Main character
• Antagonist A character or force in conflict with
  the main character
• Point of View Refers to whether a story is told
  by a character or an outside observer

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Other Important Terms Cont.

• Dialect A form of language spoken by people in a
  particular group or region (EX Yall)
• Irony A twist of fate when something unexpected
  happens.
• Flashback A work presents material that occurred
  prior to the opening scene of the work.

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Cont.

• Symbol/Symbolism An object/idea that has its own
  meaning and represents something else.
• Foreshadowing Clues that suggest something is
  going to happen.
• Theme Central idea or lesson about life that an
  author conveys.