Short Story Notes English II Advanced

Characters Protagonist: The main character who faces the conflict Antagonist: The opponent of the protagonist

Terms you should know Plot Setting Characters Characterization Point of view Imagery Tone Irony Conflict Symbol Theme Motif

Plot Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.Plot

1. Exposition This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

2. Rising Action This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

3. Climax This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending.

Putting It All Together 1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Resolution Beginning of Story Middle of Story End of Story

Point of View The story teller from whose point of view the story is being told, the narrator. –First person: The narrator is a major or minor character in the story. The story uses “I” or “we”. –Third person limited: The narrator is not a character in the story. He reports the action of others, but he does know what certain characters are thinking or feeling. –Third person omniscient: The narrator can relate what all characters think.

Setting The setting is the time and place in which a work of literature happens.

Imagery Imagery is the details that help the reader picture the story by appealing to the five senses –The pitter-patter of the rain against the window made falling asleep easy. –The gurgling sound of my brother slurping his Icee was annoying me.

Characterization The description of the personalities of the characters in the story and the way in which an author reveals their personalities. The reader finds out about a character in the story in different ways: –Direct description –What the character says –What the character does –What the character thinks –What other characters say/think about him

Tone Tone: the attitude of the writer toward his subject –Examples of tone: –Sad, happy, melancholy, angry, clinical, business, romantic, humorous, etc.

Examples of Tone Dear boss, I am a super good employee, and I don’t think it’s fair that Susie gets paid more than me. She doesn’t even do her job, and I have to do it for her. She is so dumb, and her clothes make her look fat. I don’t get paid enough either. So, because I don’t like your company, I quit. Later, Lindsay “the best” Lacy To whom it may concern; First, I would like to extend my deepest thanks for the opportunity to work with this growing company. Despite my success here, I have been offered a position at a different firm that will better suit my needs at this time. Again, I greatly appreciate the experience that I have gained here. Thank you. Sincerely, Lindsay Lacy

Irony Irony is the actions or comments that are a contrast to what is expected. –Verbal Irony—what is said is actually the opposite of what is meant. –Situational Irony—events turn out contrary to what is expected or what seems appropriate –Dramatic irony—occurs when the reader or viewer knows more about a situation that the characters do.

Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot. –Internal Conflict: happens WITHIN the character –External Conflict: happens with forces outside of the character (other characters, nature, etc.)

Types of Conflict Character vs Nature Character vs Society Character vs Self Character vs Character

Theme and Motif Theme: The meaning/purpose/point the author is trying to make about life. The moral of the story. –The theme of the story Sleeping Beauty is that a person shouldn’t be judged by outside appearance alone. Motif: words, actions, and/or symbols repeated several times in a work that tend to unify the work –Examples: Coming of age Good vs. Evil

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