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Short Story Elements

Setting Setting: when AND where the story takes place. The setting plays a major role in the overall mood of the story.

Characters Protagonist: the main character who sets the plot in motion. Antagonist: the character (OR idea) in conflict with the main character.

Plot Plot: related events that make up the story line. Exposition: the introduction of the story, in which background and setting details are given. Rising Action: the events leading up to the climax.

…More Plot Climax: the turning point (either for good or bad) of the story. Falling Action: the events leading up to the resolution. Resolution: the conclusion (or ending) of the story.

Conflict Internal conflict: conflict within a person’s mind, heart, or soul. Should I steal the candy bar while no one’s looking? External conflict: conflict with an outside force. Fight between two characters in a dark alley.

Foreshadowing Foreshadowing: clues or hints about what will happen next in the story.

Point of View Point of view: Perspective from which the story is told. 1st: I, me, my 3rd: They, he, she

Point of View Continued 3rd Person Omniscient: All-knowing We know the thoughts, feelings, & actions of ALL characters. Objective: Just the facts We know characters’ actions and words, but not their thoughts. Limited: We know the thoughts, feelings, & actions of ONLY one character.

Suspense Suspense is a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen. How is suspense created in the following clip? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiNxbnBLVVY

Central Idea The central ideas are the topics and ideas that become the focus for a literary or informational text when a reader traces the details and patterns. The central idea should apply directly to the story. Another way to say the central idea is the MAIN idea.

THEME All the elements of a good story must add up to a theme—an idea or insight about life and human nature that gives the story meaning. Theme is NOT a summary of the story or the subject of a story. Theme is ALWAYS expressed in a complete sentence. The theme is NEVER just one word. **There is a difference between the “central idea” and the “theme.”

Theme In most stories, the theme is not stated directly. Instead, it is revealed to us through the characters’ experiences. Quick Check: Match these familiar stories to the appropriate universal theme. It pays to work hard and plan ahead.

Theme is NOT the subject! The subject is simply the topic. It can be stated in a single word, such as loyalty. The theme makes some revelation about the subject and should be expressed in a sentence: “Loyalty to a leader is not always noble.”

Happy Friday! It is FriYAY! Come in and get your short story notes out. We will finish those in a few minutes.

Tone Tone is how the narrator or author feels about what they are writing or telling about.

Mood The feeling or impression the author creates with his writing Also refers to the feelings the reader has about the characters or setting in a story As stated earlier, the setting can create a mood. If we are reading a story that is set in a graveyard at night, that sets a creepy mood. However, the beach on a sunny day sets a happy mood.

Why Mood Maters Mood is an important literary element because it influences the way readers feel about what they are reading. Mood can draw a reader into a story and can compel a reader to continue to read.

Setting the mood Mood can be identified by analyzing: The setting of a story The character’s actions and dialogue

Identifying the Mood Readers need to recognize/analyze the following: Situation in which the character is involved Character’s reactions to the situation Character’s reactions to other characters Character’s body language Character’s tone of voice What the characters say to and about others The character’s thoughts and emotions

Words to Describe Mood Cheerful Humorous Peaceful Light Tense Dark Scary Suspenseful Terror Apprehensive Ominous Anxious Melancholy Romantic Lonely Sad Dreary Mysterious Calm Angry Violent Exciting Cold Fearful

Irony Irony Verbal Situational Dramatic A Surprise! It is the difference between what we expect to happen, and what actually does happen. It is often used to add suspense and interest. There are THREE TYPES of irony! Irony Verbal Situational Dramatic

Verbal Irony You use it everyday when you say one thing and really mean another. It is often similar to a sarcastic response. Example: When you appear to be sick and someone asks you if you’re okay. You say “Of course!” But in the meantime you are vomiting and fainting.

Situational Irony Occurs when a situation turns out to be the opposite of what you thought it would be. Example: The teacher’s daughter is a High School drop out. The mayor’s wife gets caught stealing. The preacher’s wife shoots him.

Dramatic Irony Think scary movies! Occurs when the audience knows something that a character or characters in the story, on the screen, or on the stage do not know. It’s like the audience is more aware of what’s going on than the people in the production. Think scary movies!

Characterization Direct vs. Indirect Characterization. Think about in daily life... What is the difference between someone being direct and indirect?

Direct Characterization direct characterization: the author or narrator makes direct statements about a character’s traits. The author tells us about the character’s personality to our face. TELLING Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.” Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”

Indirect Characterization Indirect characterization: the author or narrator reveals a character’s traits through his or her actions and speech. SHOWING When Jane walked in the room, nobody could help but look at her. She commanded attention wherever she went due to her good looks. Jane is beautiful. Jim was very unlike any other businessman. He made sure that all his clients got what they had paid for. Jim is honest and hardworking.

Indirect Characterization Use the STEAL method. Speech: What does the character say? How does the character speak? Thoughts: What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? Effect on others toward the character: What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? Actions: What does the character do? How does the character behave? Looks: What does the character look like? How does the character dress?