Characteristics of the Short Story

Characteristics It can be read in one sitting It can be read in one sitting It is based on the incident or character It is based on the incident or character It has few characteristics It has few characteristics It presents a conflict situation from which suspense arises It presents a conflict situation from which suspense arises The climax evolves from the basic conflict The climax evolves from the basic conflict It may or may not have a definite conclusion or outcome It may or may not have a definite conclusion or outcome

Elements of Plot of Short Story Exposition: will act as an introduction to the story Exposition: will act as an introduction to the story Time: time of the story (one year, month, day to hour, etc) Time: time of the story (one year, month, day to hour, etc) Place: the place the story takes place may be very significant or not significant at all. Being with specific and move on to general Place: the place the story takes place may be very significant or not significant at all. Being with specific and move on to general Antecedent action: This part of the exposition is very important. The readers of the short story should know what happened before the story began (if they have a bearing on the story) Antecedent action: This part of the exposition is very important. The readers of the short story should know what happened before the story began (if they have a bearing on the story) Atmosphere and mood: should be easy to see at start of story Atmosphere and mood: should be easy to see at start of story

Initial Incident or Complication Introduces conflict or beings suspense. Introduces conflict or beings suspense. Begins conflict which is resolved in climax Begins conflict which is resolved in climax

Rising Action Events that develop the conflict Events that develop the conflict Three types of conflict Three types of conflict Conflict between two characters, or character vs. character Conflict between two characters, or character vs. character Conflict between a character and the environment, character vs. environment/nature/society/aliens/ fate Conflict between a character and the environment, character vs. environment/nature/society/aliens/ fate Conflict within a character, or character vs. self- Conflict within a character, or character vs. self-

Climax Conflict introduced in the initial incident is solved. There are different ways of solving the conflict Conflict introduced in the initial incident is solved. There are different ways of solving the conflict Happy ending: protagonists solves the conflict successfully Happy ending: protagonists solves the conflict successfully Unhappy ending: the protagonist does not solve the conflict, and is beaten by the forces arrayed against him Unhappy ending: the protagonist does not solve the conflict, and is beaten by the forces arrayed against him Indeterminate ending: the conflict is not solved, or the protagonists solves the conflict only to be worse off than before. There is no clear win or loss for the protagonist Indeterminate ending: the conflict is not solved, or the protagonists solves the conflict only to be worse off than before. There is no clear win or loss for the protagonist Surprise ending: there is a sudden twist in the direction of the story Surprise ending: there is a sudden twist in the direction of the story Anticlimax: an event brings about an abrupt shift from the important to the trivial at the end of the story. Anticlimax: an event brings about an abrupt shift from the important to the trivial at the end of the story.

Falling Action Fall out as a result of the Climax Fall out as a result of the Climax

Denouement Wrapping up of the story. Wrapping up of the story. The author may explain the climax or tell what happens to the main characters following the climax. The author may explain the climax or tell what happens to the main characters following the climax. Ties up any loose ends Ties up any loose ends

Character in the short story How a character can be described: How a character can be described: Protagonist: main character in the story. Involved in the major conflict of the story and also the climax. Desires to reach a goal Protagonist: main character in the story. Involved in the major conflict of the story and also the climax. Desires to reach a goal Antagonist: character, group or force that opposes the protagonist Antagonist: character, group or force that opposes the protagonist Flat Character: characteristics can be summed up by one or two traits Flat Character: characteristics can be summed up by one or two traits Round Character: Characteristics are complex and many-faceted. Round Character: Characteristics are complex and many-faceted. Stock or Stereotyped Character: Characteristics are immediately known because of the common conceptions about certain groups of people Stock or Stereotyped Character: Characteristics are immediately known because of the common conceptions about certain groups of people Realistic Character: character who is highly believable because they have the strengths and weakness of an ordinary person Realistic Character: character who is highly believable because they have the strengths and weakness of an ordinary person

How a Character is Revealed Indirect Characterization: the reader has to infer the information Indirect Characterization: the reader has to infer the information From what the character does From what the character does From what the character says From what the character says From what the character thinks From what the character thinks

How a Character is Revealed Direct Characterization: the reader can find direct references in the story Direct Characterization: the reader can find direct references in the story From what the others say about the person From what the others say about the person From what author says about the person From what author says about the person

Dimensions of a Character Physical Dimension: How a character looks Physical Dimension: How a character looks Mental Dimension: How a character thinks Mental Dimension: How a character thinks Emotional Dimension: How a character acts and reacts in a certain situation Emotional Dimension: How a character acts and reacts in a certain situation Spiritual Dimension: What a character values Spiritual Dimension: What a character values

Judging a character Consistent characters are characters that act and react in similar ways. There are some circumstances that cause the character to change; however, any change will be in lines with the character’s personality and will be foreshadowed. Consistent characters are characters that act and react in similar ways. There are some circumstances that cause the character to change; however, any change will be in lines with the character’s personality and will be foreshadowed. Motivated characters have a reason for acting in the way he/she does. If the character undergoes change in the story, the reader must understand the reasons for change. Motivated characters have a reason for acting in the way he/she does. If the character undergoes change in the story, the reader must understand the reasons for change. Plausible character are realistic and life-like. The reader must feel that this person could exist in the normal course of events. Plausible character are realistic and life-like. The reader must feel that this person could exist in the normal course of events.

Setting in the Short Story Where it takes place and the period of time in which it is set Where it takes place and the period of time in which it is set Establishes mood of story Establishes mood of story Can add to characterization Can add to characterization Sometimes it is not important because it could be set anywhere Sometimes it is not important because it could be set anywhere Sometimes it is basic to events and theme Sometimes it is basic to events and theme Plot can be vital information in the setting. If conflict is character vs. environment than it is vital Plot can be vital information in the setting. If conflict is character vs. environment than it is vital Characters can give vital information in the setting Characters can give vital information in the setting

Point of View Omniscient: knows the past, present and future of all the characters. Written in third person pro nouns: he, she, him, her, etc Omniscient: knows the past, present and future of all the characters. Written in third person pro nouns: he, she, him, her, etc Limited Omniscient: limits his/her knowledge to only one character, knowing everything about this person. Third person pronouns Limited Omniscient: limits his/her knowledge to only one character, knowing everything about this person. Third person pronouns First person: becomes the character in the story so that he/she knows the past, the present, but not the future. First person pronouns First person: becomes the character in the story so that he/she knows the past, the present, but not the future. First person pronouns

Theme Central truth about life that is revealed in the work. Central truth about life that is revealed in the work. Some may not have a theme- they could be written to entertain, scare or create an atmosphere. Some may not have a theme- they could be written to entertain, scare or create an atmosphere. Things to remember Things to remember Theme is a generalized statement about life that arises from the story Theme is a generalized statement about life that arises from the story Always stated as a sentence that develops a truth about life Always stated as a sentence that develops a truth about life Must arise from the story and not from personal experiences Must arise from the story and not from personal experiences Never written as a moral Never written as a moral Not expressed as a cliché Not expressed as a cliché

Short Story Devices and Techniques Repetition: the same incident repeats it self. Similar lines are repeated. This is almost always important and relates to the theme! Repetition: the same incident repeats it self. Similar lines are repeated. This is almost always important and relates to the theme! Irony: the opposite happens as to what is expected Irony: the opposite happens as to what is expected Verbal irony: opposite is said as to what is intended Verbal irony: opposite is said as to what is intended Dramatic irony: audience or readers know more than the characters Dramatic irony: audience or readers know more than the characters Situational irony: the opposite happens as to what is expected Situational irony: the opposite happens as to what is expected

Short Story Devices and Techniques Foreshadowing: consists of details early in the story that hint as to what is coming later on Foreshadowing: consists of details early in the story that hint as to what is coming later on Flashback: story begins in one time setting, but then the author moves back in time to tell the story in an earlier time setting Flashback: story begins in one time setting, but then the author moves back in time to tell the story in an earlier time setting Precarious situation: conflict itself is scary, and the reader knows something bad will happen Precarious situation: conflict itself is scary, and the reader knows something bad will happen Delaying the event: when delaying the event, the writer increases the amount of detail to delay the event, and create suspense Delaying the event: when delaying the event, the writer increases the amount of detail to delay the event, and create suspense Dilemma: protagonist has a choice between two negative alternatives Dilemma: protagonist has a choice between two negative alternatives Predicament: a problem that is difficult to solve; the positive solution is difficult to obtain. Predicament: a problem that is difficult to solve; the positive solution is difficult to obtain.

Short Story Devices and Techniques Symbol: A concrete object that stands for an abstract idea. Both the object and the idea share common characteristics. Symbol: A concrete object that stands for an abstract idea. Both the object and the idea share common characteristics. Parallels: the author puts similar events or character in a story to clarify the meaning or heighten mood Parallels: the author puts similar events or character in a story to clarify the meaning or heighten mood Imagery: appeals to our sense of sight, taste, touch, smell, heat and motion Imagery: appeals to our sense of sight, taste, touch, smell, heat and motion Sub-plot: a secondary story line that develops along with the main story line Sub-plot: a secondary story line that develops along with the main story line Deus ex machina: an artificial solution to a seemingly insolvable problem. Readers often feel cheated by this type of ending Deus ex machina: an artificial solution to a seemingly insolvable problem. Readers often feel cheated by this type of ending Motif: a recurring image or detail in a story Motif: a recurring image or detail in a story Epiphany: a moment of significant realization and insight experienced by protagonist Epiphany: a moment of significant realization and insight experienced by protagonist Verisimilitude: makes the story seem very life like. Readers can identify with the characters or situation personally Verisimilitude: makes the story seem very life like. Readers can identify with the characters or situation personally

Figuring out meaning Titles and Names Titles and Names Beginnings and endings Beginnings and endings Plot Plot Movement from beginning to end of story Movement from beginning to end of story Situation of major characters at beginning and end Situation of major characters at beginning and end What makes no sense and seems to have no purpose- is it a hint? What makes no sense and seems to have no purpose- is it a hint?

Figuring out meaning Characters Characters What do you know about them What do you know about them Are they individuals or types Are they individuals or types What changes occur with them What changes occur with them

Figuring out meaning Form/style Form/style What is the tone? How is it established? What is the tone? How is it established? Symbolism: what is emphasized and/or repeated Symbolism: what is emphasized and/or repeated Look for reoccurring patterns/ motifs/ elements Look for reoccurring patterns/ motifs/ elements Theme: what do these all add up to? Theme: what do these all add up to?