Short Stories Ms. Campbell English 8

What is a Short Story? What Defines A Short Story? Can be read in one sitting Only a few characters One main incident or event Definite climax One main impression Short Stories illuminate life Short Stories are between 200 and 3000 words long

Short Story Elements Introduction The SETTING – WHERE – When – MOOD POINT OF VIEW – First Person Uses the word “I” – Third Person Uses the word(s) “he/she” – Third Person Omniscient Uses the word(s) “he/she”BUT the narrator knows everything

Short Story Elements (Cont’d) Narrator – Person TELLING story Uses one of the Points of View PROTAGONIST – The main character of a story Can be GOOD or EVIL Antagonist – OPPOSES the main character

Short Story Elements (Cont’d) Plot – SERIES of events that lead to the CLIMAX RISING ACTION – The main part of the story – The PROTAGONIST battles to overcome obstacles that are in the way of the goal

Short Story Elements (Cont’d) CONFLICT – Struggle, FIGHT, or difference of opinion between CHARACTERS Character versus CHARACTER Character versus SELF Character versus ENVIRONMENT Climax – TURNING POINT in the story – The moment when the main conflict is about to be RESOLVED CONCLUSION – The final outcome

Short Story Elements (Cont’d) Foreshadowing – HINTS at what is to come THEME – Meaning or MAIN PURPOSE of the story

Short Story Elements (Cont’d)

Day of the Butterfly by Alice Munro Instructions - Listen to the story read aloud - Write a half page journal response - Consider: - What you liked - What you disliked - How the author used Short Story Elements - Point of View, Setting, Plot, Foreshadowing, Theme, etc.

Day of the Butterfly Reading Guide Work in pairs to answer the questions by re- reading Day of the Butterfly