Elements of the Short Story Mrs. Robilotto

Characterization A technique employed by the writer to create and reveal the personalities of characters DIRECT: simply tells the reader about the character through narrative INDIRECT: forces reader to make inferences based upon observation

Characterization A Character is either… ROUND- fully developed and exhibits a variety of human traits or FLAT- displays few (if any) distinguishing features.

How we learn about characters What character says What the character does What others say about the character How others act toward the character

1. Plot A series of related events that make up a story. Presents and resolves a conflict. See the Freytag triangle.

Plot Revolves Around Conflict Conflict - a struggle between opposing forces Conflict - a struggle between opposing forces 1. Man vs. man - external struggle between two or more individuals 2. Man vs. himself - internal struggle concerning emotion and decision 3. Man vs. nature - external struggle between man and an element of nature

3. Setting Definition: The time and place in which the events of a narrative occur. Example: Kansas City, A sleepy, rural town easily forgotten. Brought to life with the use Figurative Language.

Setting Also includes Figurative Language Simile - comparison using like or as Metaphor - comparison using is or form of is Personification: figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an animal, object, or idea.

4. Point of View Relationship between the narrator of the story and the characters in it The voice that tells the story

4. Point of View First Person: Narrator is/was either involved in or witnessed the action of a story. Third Person: Narrator stands anonymously outside of story’s action

Third Person Point of View limited-relates the thoughts and feelings of only one character objective (dramatic)-describes only what can be witnessed omniscient-has insight into the thoughts, feelings, and motives of all characters; all knowing

5. Theme Underlying meaning of story. What the author is trying to say. Sometimes referred to as the moral.

5. Theme -May be stated or implied –Unlike the subject theme involves an opinion about the subject. It “says something” -Ask: Why was the story written, what was the author trying to tell the reader?

Irony Definition: When the opposite of what’s expected occurs or is said. Verbal: when the opposite of what is meant is said. Example: If you miss a basket, someone calls you Michael Jordan Situational: When the opposite of what’s expected occurs. Example: Underdog wins. Dramatic: When the audience of a play knows something the characters of play do not know. Example: Horror movie

5. Theme Could be conveyed through the use of Irony. There are 3 Kinds: Verbal Irony: A contrast between what is said and what is meant. Situational Irony: when things turn out differently than you expected them to. Dramatic Irony: When reader is aware of something the character does not know about _____________________ _________________________________________

Symbol When something concrete stands for something abstract. Example: A dove is a symbol for peace.

Scarlet Ibis Directions: Pretend you are writing an intro paragraph on an essay about the “Scarlet Ibis.” Your central idea is “the scarlet ibis is an effective symbol of Doodle.” You need to come up with an original lead in to get the reader excited about your essay and a thesis statement.