A short story is more than just a story which is short enough to read whilst on a visit to the toilet! Over the next two weeks you will be studying the structure of short stories. The focus will be on stories relating to war, but what you learn about can be applied to any short story. Short Stories Lesson 1

War – Anticipation Guide 1. War is a waste of human life. 2. I would be willing to fight in a war. 3. I would support a family member joining the army. 4. War is a way for countries to make money. 5. War is a necessary part of life.

Elements of a narrative Point of View – who tells the story? Character – the people or animals Plot – the storyline, what happens. Setting- where and when the story occurs. Theme / Main Idea- message Style- Language, sentence length.

Characteristics of a short story Limited characters Limited time frame Limited setting Unity

Structure of Short Stories Orientation: time, place, people involved Complications: problems that cause rising tension Climax: events are concluded Resolution: possible surprise as the problem is solved.

Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the causal arrangement of events and actions within a story. Teaching Plot Structure Through Short Stories

Types of Linear Plots Plots can be told in Chronological order Flashback In media res (in the middle of things) when the story starts in the middle of the action without exposition

Pyramid Plot Structure The most basic and traditional form of plot is pyramid- shaped. This structure has been described in more detail by Aristotle and by Gustav Freytag.

Aristotle’s Unified Plot The basic triangle-shaped plot structure was described by Aristotle in 350 BCE. Aristotle used the beginning, middle, and end structure to describe a story that moved along a linear path, following a chain of cause and effect as it works toward the solution of a conflict or crisis.

Freytag’s Plot Structure Freytag modified Aristotle’s system by adding a rising action (or complication) and a falling action to the structure. Freytag used the five-part design shown above to describe a story’s plot.

Modified Plot Structure Freytag’s Pyramid is often modified so that it extends slightly before and after the primary rising and falling action. You might think of this part of the chart as similar to the warm-up and cool-down for the story.

Plot Components Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

Types of Conflict Human vs Nature Human vs Society Human vs Self Internal Conflict Human vs Human Interpersonal Conflict

Generic Questions Read through the following questions and copy them into your books. 1. Who are the protagonists? 2. Describe the settings/locations. Use examples of descriptive language taken from the text to substantiate your answer. 3. Describe the central conflict/problem the protagonist is facing? Is it psychological, physical, or both? Again, use examples from the text. 4. Describe three ways the character's personality is revealed. (actions, words, others' words, etc.) 5. List and explain the different stages of plot (orientation, complications, climax, resolution). 6. Describe the various moods using at least five examples (simile, metaphor, etc.) 7. What are the themes/messages of the story?

The Sniper Read the story. Discuss your initial response to this story with a partner.