EDU31ACL - Australian Children’s Literature Alternative Formats Lecture One Short Stories © La Trobe University, David Beagley 2005 Alternative Formats Lecture One Short Stories © La Trobe University, David Beagley 2005

Short Physical - read at one sitting Critical - conveys a single impression Economical - every word contributes Short Physical - read at one sitting Critical - conveys a single impression Economical - every word contributes Definitions

Story Episodic - examines a single aspect of a situation Emphatic - creates its impression quickly Varied – different styles and genres may be used in a single text Conclusive - ends as soon as the point is made, though situation may be unresolved Story Episodic - examines a single aspect of a situation Emphatic - creates its impression quickly Varied – different styles and genres may be used in a single text Conclusive - ends as soon as the point is made, though situation may be unresolved Definitions

Could utilize any genre: realism, fantasy, family, science fiction, personal, descriptive, poetic narrative, drama, comedy Or theme: Personal observation/judgement/commentary, social issue, human nature, allegorical Could utilize any genre: realism, fantasy, family, science fiction, personal, descriptive, poetic narrative, drama, comedy Or theme: Personal observation/judgement/commentary, social issue, human nature, allegorical Genres

Very popular format in Australian children’s literature Paul Jennings, Andy Griffiths Enables single joke to be built up and told – “timing is everything” Novel vs short story = Sit com vs stand up There may be a unifying theme to the collection but each part can also stand on its own Very popular format in Australian children’s literature Paul Jennings, Andy Griffiths Enables single joke to be built up and told – “timing is everything” Novel vs short story = Sit com vs stand up There may be a unifying theme to the collection but each part can also stand on its own Genre - Comedy

What genre are the stories in White time? Realism? Metaphor/allegory? Sci Fi/Fantasy? Is there a unifying theme? Relationships? Alienation? Emotional journey? Is there a link that suggests why these stories are published together? What genre are the stories in White time? Realism? Metaphor/allegory? Sci Fi/Fantasy? Is there a unifying theme? Relationships? Alienation? Emotional journey? Is there a link that suggests why these stories are published together? Genre - drama

Theme and resolution Episodes end but does the overall theme/story? Do the collection of short stories create a whole, or just share a heading? Swimming pool – cup of water Same elements but different intensity The cup must contain all the essential features of the complete ocean The short story must still be a literate creation Theme and resolution Episodes end but does the overall theme/story? Do the collection of short stories create a whole, or just share a heading? Swimming pool – cup of water Same elements but different intensity The cup must contain all the essential features of the complete ocean The short story must still be a literate creation Genre - drama

Choices a writer must make: Theme Audience Style Structure Narrative form Characterisation Each will affect the other elements Choices a writer must make: Theme Audience Style Structure Narrative form Characterisation Each will affect the other elements Alternative formats

Choices a critical reader must make: Interpretation of theme Appropriateness of –Style –Structure –Narrative form Accessibility of characters How successful were the writer’s choices in achieving an effective creation? Choices a critical reader must make: Interpretation of theme Appropriateness of –Style –Structure –Narrative form Accessibility of characters How successful were the writer’s choices in achieving an effective creation? Alternative formats