SHORT STORY TERMS

Short Story Terms Term and Definition What is Style? -Definition: the manner of expression of a particular writer produced by: Choice of words, sentence structure, the use of literary devices, and other elements of composition. Examples: Scientific, expository, poetic, and journalistic. For example: An article from a magazine or a newspaper is written in a different style than one from a scientific journal.

Short Story Terms What is motif? Definition: a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work. Motif and theme are linked in a literary work but there is a difference between them. In a literary piece, a motif is a recurrent image, idea or a symbol that develops or explains a theme while a theme is a central idea or message. Example: A Cinderella motif…

Short Story Terms What is Theme? The theme is a central idea or message. Example: The theme of a fable is its moral. The theme of a parable is its teaching. The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave. In fiction, the theme is not intended to teach or preach. In fact, it is not presented directly at all. You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. In other words, you must figure out the theme yourself. Example: Overcoming obstacles, good conquers evil..

Short Story Terms What is a vignette? Definition: a short, well-written sketch or descriptive scene. It does not have a plot, which would make it a story, but it does reveal something about the elements in it… -It may reveal character, mood or tone -It may have a theme or idea of its own that it wants to convey -It is the description of a scene or character that is important… Example: Freedom Writers or House on Mango Street

Short Story Terms Term and Definition What is Allusion? -Definition: is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literature or political significance. Examples: Romeo and Juliet- “Montague must be so happy we can Capulet this all go”(Kaye).

Short Story Terms Term and Definition Simile -Definition: comparison using the words like or as. Example: As slow as molasses in January. She sings like an angel.

Short Story Terms Term and Definition Metaphor -Definition: A comparison without using the words like or as. Example: The cat is a bag of bones. We are the American Flags we draw.

Short Story Terms Term and Definition Personification -Definition: giving human characteristics to things that are not human. Example: The wind howled. The desk has legs.

Short Story Terms Term and Definition Hyperbole -Definition: An extreme exaggeration used to describe a person or thing. Example: She has as many pairs of shoes as there are stars in the sky.

Short Story Terms Term and Definition Onomatopoeia - Definition: Words that make noise. such as buzz or splash. Example: Buzz…splash…crash…

Short Story Terms Term and Definition Tone - Definition: is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject. Examples: The tone can be formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, and cheerful or it may be any other existing attitudes.

SHORT STORY TERMS

The action of the story revolves around the protagonist and the conflict he or she faces. Example: Luke Skywalker Main Characters Protagonist—the main character of a story. Antagonist—the character or force the protagonist struggles against and must overcome. Example: Darth Vader Protagonist Antagonist

Dynamic characters change or grow as a result of the story’s action learn something about themselves, other people, or the world as they struggle to resolve their conflicts Luke Skywalker is a Dynamic Character The changes that a dynamic character undergoes contribute to the meaning of the story. Dynamic Characters versus Static Characters

Static characters do not change or grow Dynamic Characters versus Static Characters are the same at the end of a story as they were in the beginning R2D2 is a Static Character Subordinate characters are often static characters.

Round characters have many different character traits that sometimes contradict each other Flat Characters versus Round Characters are much like real people, with several sides to their personality Example: Princess Leia Hans Solo

Flat characters have only one or two character traits that can be described in a few words Flat Characters versus Round Characters have no depth, like a piece of cardboard Example: Storm Troopers

Stock/Sterotypical Characters add depth and complication to the plot. Subordinate Characters Family Friends

Direct Characterization—Writers tell us directly what characters are like or what their motives are. Indirect Characterization—Writers show us characters but allow us to decide what characters are like. Direct and Indirect Characterization

Quick Check Oh, but he was a mean old man at the grindstone! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, greedy old sinner! - A Christmas Carol Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? What kind of person do you think this character is? Direct and Indirect Characterization Direct

Quick Check Lord Asriel was a tall man with powerful shoulders, a fierce dark face, and eyes that seemed to flash and glitter with savage laughter. - The Golden Compass Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? What kind of person do you think this character is? Direct and Indirect Characterization Indirect

Indirect characterization is revealed five different ways Speech Appearance Private Thoughts Reactions of others Actions (a character’s own words) (how a character looks) (what a character thinks) (how other characters feel about a character) (what a character does)

“Keep still, you little devil, or I’ll cut your throat!” A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with a great iron on his leg. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head. A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints... ; who limped, and shivered, and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin. - Great Expectations Which methods of indirect characterization are being used? Direct and Indirect Characterization

Speech Actions Appearance Indirect Characterization “Keep still, you little devil, or I’ll cut your throat!” A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with a great iron on his leg. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head. A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints... ; who limped, and shivered, and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin. - What kind of person do you think this character is?

Indirect characterization Her eyes were Frenchmen blue, staring out of a soft, round face. She appeared completely unafraid, and there was a look to her stare that made the Baron feel uneasy for no reason he could explain. - Dune Which methods of indirect characterization are being used?

Indirect characterization Her eyes were Frenchmen blue, staring out of a soft, round face. She appeared completely unafraid and there was a look to her stare that made the Baron feel uneasy for no reason he could explain. - Dune AppearanceReactions of Others Her eyes were Frenchmen blue, staring out of a unafraid,and there was a look to her stare that made the Baron feel uneasy for no reason he could explain. soft, round face. She appeared completely

Which method is being used? She was wearing grubby tennis shoes and a shapeless gray sweater over a summery calico dress. Appearance What kind of person do you think this character is?

Which method is being used? “I know everyone hates me,” Nancy sobbed. “It’s because I’m not as pretty as the other girls.” Speech What kind of person do you think this character is?

Which method is being used? (for Aunt Sylvia) When Aunt Sylvia entered the room, my mother narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips in disapproval. Reactions of Others What kind of person do you think this character is?

Which method is being used? It wasn’t long before Alison began to wonder how she could get that doll away from her sister and all to herself. Private Thoughts What kind of person do you think this character is?

“Good Hands”by Ron Koege Plot Exposition: 1.Characters: Brittany, Kent and Olivia are introduced 2. Setting: school 3. Conflict: Olivia is in a wheelchair and she is upset that Kent (Olivia’s boyfriend) called Brittany last night

“Good Hands” Plot Rising Action: 1.Olivia doubts why Kent would want to be her boyfriend. 2.She discussed all the ways that she is unlovable in the eyes of others. 3.She is in a wheelchair due to a car accident 4.Father is with another family 5.Helplessness in the restroom and the pat on the head by the other student. 6.Brittany begins to get frustrated with Olivia’s attitude at lunch

“Good Hands” Plot Climax/Turning Point: 1.Confrontation with Kent and Olivia Falling Action: 1.Olivia grapples with the discussion between her and Kent 2.Olivia shows up for the game Resolution/Denouement: 1. Olivia catches the ball and Kent acknowledges the catch… everything seems to be better between the two.

Indirect characterization is revealed five different ways Speech Appearance Private Thoughts Reactions of others Actions (a character’s own words) (how a character looks) (what a character thinks) (how other characters feel about a character) (what a character does)