Elements of Short Stories

There will be a test at the end of this unit  Take notes.

A work of fiction that can be read in one sitting. What is a Short Story? Semi-official definition: A work of fiction that can be read in one sitting.

Have we read any short stories thus far?

Famous Short Stories A Clean Well-Lighted Place – Ernest Hemingway The Lottery – Shirley Jackson The Last Leaf – O. Henry Araby – James Joyce The Tell-Tale Heart - Edgar Allen Poe Many of the most famous book authors have also written short stories.

Elements of a Short Story All short stories have certain characteristics that most novels, books, stories, movies etc have.

1. Characters The story’s “actors.” These could be people or animals. Protagonist: the main character. This person is the one facing the problem. Antagonist: The character or force that conflicts with the protagonist.

2. Plot The chain of related events that take place in a story. “What happens in the story!” Exposition – what’s happening at the beginning of the story. Includes setting and main characters. Rising Action – the events that take place during the bulk of the story. Climax – the most emotional/successful part. The protagonist either succeeds or does not. Resolution – how it all ends up.

3. Conflict A struggle between 2 opposing forces. External Conflict: Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. obstacle or society Internal Conflict: Man vs. Himself WHAT TYPE OF CONFLICT(S) WOULD BE FOUND IN THE HUNGER GAMES?

4. Determining Topics A topic is a one or two word life idea that is something that is talked about or dealt with somehow in the story Examples of topics: Love Friendship Jealousy Overcoming Trials Words like “sad” or “excited” aren’t really topics. They’re more like what is called the TONE of the story (how it makes you feel). WHAT TOPICS WOULD BE FOUND IN THE LION KING?

5. Theme Central idea, message, or life-lesson in any piece of work. A theme must be stated in at least one complete sentence. A theme must be expressed as a generalization about life or human nature. Should explain the whole story, not just parts of it. A theme should not be some cheesy cliché that you have heard before. It’s just a regular sentence that you’ve written about what the author is trying to say.

How to determine a Theme: Ask how the protagonist has changed during the story. Think about the story’s title or statemenIt ots in the story that point to the writer’s view of the world or human nature. You will have to think about the Theme! The writer usually does not come out and say it. POSSIBLE THEMES IN THE LION KING?? Doing the right thing sometimes requires a lot of courage. You have to find yourself to figure out who you are supposed to be.

Think of any common movie Think of any common movie. Put the name of the movie at the top of the page. 1. In at least one complete sentence, describe the exposition of this story?   2. Who/what is the protagonist of this story? 3. Describe the conflict of this story. Is it an internal or external conflict and what type(s)? Explain. 4. List 3 or more topics for this story. 5. In one complete sentence, what would you say is the theme of this story? On other words, what do you believe the author is trying to say and/or what is the central message?