The Elements of Short Stories Class Notes The Elements of Short Stories

Setting Setting Place Time Weather conditions Social conditions Mood or atmosphere Setting in “Changes”

Conflict Definition: Struggle between two forces in a story.

Kinds of Conflict External Conflict Human vs. Human Human vs. Nature Human vs. Society Human vs. Self Internal Conflict

Plot Components Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story. Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict. Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes. Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable. Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point. Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

Characters Police officers “Changes” Definition Protagonist - The central character of the story Antagonist - The opposing force in the story African-Americans Police officers

Characters and Characterization information the author gives the reader about the characters. The author may reveal a character in several ways: a)  his/her physical appearance b)  what s/he says, thinks, feels and dreams c)  what s/he does or does not do d)  what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her

Characterization in “Changes” Write down examples of chracterization in “Changes”

Plot Components Exposition: the start of the story What is the exposition in “Changes” 2. Rising Action: the series of conflicts. What is the rising action in “Changes” 3. Climax: the most intense moment What is the climax in “Changes” Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story. Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict. Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes. Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable. Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point. What is the falling action in “Changes” 4. Falling Action: action after the climax What is the resolution in “Changes” 5. Resolution: the conclusion

Point of View The perspective from which a story is told. Points of view include: First person Stream of consciousness Omniscient

Point of View First Person Story is told  by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely with the protagonist or other characters (using pronouns I, me, we, etc).  Reader sees the story through this person's eyes as s/he experiences it

Point of View Omniscient Storyteller/author knows all the facts about the character(s)

Point of View Stream of Consciousness The reader feels as if they are inside the head of one character and knows all their thoughts and reactions.

Theme The controlling idea, central insight, or message of the story. Focus of the story. Explains what happens and why it happens. Theme is often inferred based on characters and situations in a story. To find the theme of a story consider: The purpose of the story What view of life does it supports, or what insight into life it reveals.