Short Stories 1.Genre’ – A category or type of literature characterized by a particular form or style. Examples of genre’ in literature are short stories, poetry, drama, mythology, novel and nonfiction. 2.Short story – a brief tale that can be read in one sitting. 3.Short Story is narrative fiction. (narrative=story, fiction=not true) 4.Elements of a short story: a. Plot- a plot is a sequence of events in a story. (If you go to the movies, come home and tell a friend about the movie in the correct order, you are telling the plot.) b. Character - Characters are the actors in a story’s plot. They can be people, animals, or whatever the writer chooses. c. Point –of- View d. Setting e. Theme 4. Plot Diagram-

Protagonist – The protagonist is the main character of the story. Antagonist – The antagonist is in conflict with the main character. Not all stories have antagonist. 5.Point-of –View – Point of view refers to the relationship of the narrator, or storyteller, to the story. Who is telling the story? In first-person point of view, the narrator is a character in the story, referred to as I. I will be used in the story without “”. In third-person point of view the narrator is on the outside of the story, not in the story, and cannot read thoughts. In third-person limited point of view, the narrator reveals the thoughts of only one character, referring to that character as “he” or “she” In third-person omniscient point of view, the narrator knows everything about the story’s events and reveals the thoughts of all the characters. (All knowing).

6.Short stories consist of science fiction, action, adventure and mystery. 7.Complications- problems that occur during the rising action of the story that adds suspense to the story. These complications are sometimes mistaken for the climax. 8.Theme is the central idea or message of a story, often a perception about life or human nature. (Lesson to be learned) Stated theme – Themes that are directly presented in a story. Implied theme – Themes that must be inferred by considering all the elements of a story and asking what message about life is conveyed.

9.Setting – Setting is the time and place of the story’s action. Setting includes ideas, customs, values, and beliefs. 10.Plot consist of several steps: a. Exposition – introduces the story’s character, setting, and background information. b. Conflict – a struggle between opposing forces. –Internal conflict – takes place within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings or between different courses of action. (MAN VS SELF) –External conflict – is a struggle between a character and an outside force, such as another character, nature, society, or fate. (MAN VS MAN), (MAN VS NATURE), (MAN VS SOCIETY). c. Rising action - occurs as complications, twists, or intensifications of the conflict. The longest part of the story.

d. Climax – the emotional high-point of the story. You can tell when you’ve reached the climax because the conflict will be solved. It’s the highest point of interest. e. Falling action – is the logical result of the climax. f. Resolution – presents the final outcome of the story. Some stories do not have a climax, falling action, or a resolution. The falling action and the resolution may occur in a sentence or a paragraph.

Plot Diagram