Elements of a Short Story
What is a Short Story? It’s a piece of prose fiction, usually under 10, 000 words, which can be read at one sitting. In a short story every word counts, and is carefully selected by the author. Artistically, a short story is intended to create an impression Most stories have a beginning, middle, and end A good story entertains, arouses questions about life, and makes the reader question his or her own values. The effect a story has is created through these elements: Plot Atmosphere Character and Characterization Conflict Theme Setting Style (which includes a number of devices)
The Plot Graph The plot is the series of actions or main events that happen in a story to effectively present some form of conflict and its outcome. Most stories have a beginning, middle and end that look something like this:
The Plot Graph Climax: This is the turning point or most intense moment. The climax reveals the outcome of the conflict and a change in the character. Falling Action: Shows the outcome and results of the climax and unanswered details of the plot Conclusion/ Resolution: Everything is resolved or figured Rising Action : The events and challenges that lead to the climax Introduction/Exposition: The start of the story before the action. Introduces setting, characters, and the conflict serves to entice the reader to keep reading Inciting/Trigger Incident: The event that creates the conflict An interesting plot device writer’s use are called surprise or Twist endings.
Conflict The conflict is the struggle between two people or things in a story. It is the central source of tension in the story It usually involves a struggle between opposing characters, emotions, etc. Conflict is sometimes referred to as the problem in the story. Therefore, it must be solved or a goal must be achieved to resolve it. The plot of the story usually revolves around conflict!
Conflict There are TWO main types of conflict present in most stories: External and Internal External 1. Person vs Person ex._____________________ 2. Person vs Society ex. ____________________ 3. Person vs The Environment (Nature) ex. _______________ 4. Person vs Circumstance (fate) ex. ____________________ 5. Person vs Technology ex. ____________________ 6. Person vs The Supernatural ex. ___________________ Internal 1. Person vs Self
Setting Where and when the story takes place! Often helps create the MOOD It is the environment in which the story takes place. It refers to both the time (era) that a story is set and the place (location) where the action occurs
Mood / Atmosphere This term refers to the feeling that is created in the story. It is created through word choice, descriptive details and imagery. It could be dramatic, humorous, tragic or scary, for a few examples. The author uses certain descriptive words, images, details about setting, etc. to create feelings in the reader of fear, anger, happiness, shock, etc.
Tone Tone is NOT the same as Mood TONE - is the attitude a writer expresses towards his or her subject. It could be formal, informal, personal, impersonal, angry, cheerful or bitter, for a few examples.
Characters Character refers to the individuals that are depicted in each story. Without characters there can be no story! Characters are important in a story because they experience the conflict. There are two main kinds of characters: The PROTAGONIST: a regular or main character or a hero or heroine An ANTAGONIST: the main opponent to the protagonist; often working in contrast to the protagonist such as a villain.
Characters cont… Characters are often classified as: STATIC (those who are barely revealed and/or don’t change throughout a story) or DYNAMIC (those who change or transform throughout a story and are described at great length)
Characters cont… Flat character - is a minor character in a work of fiction who does not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story. Also referred to as " two-dimensional characters" 2D or "static characters," flat characters play a supporting role to the main character, who as a rule should be round.static charactersround
Characters cont… Round character - is a major character in a work of fiction who encounters conflict and is changed by it. A round character is depicted with such psychological depth and details that he or she seems like a "real" person. Also referred to as “three-dimensional” 3D If you think of the characters you most love in fiction, they probably seem as real to you as people you know in real life. This is a good sign that they are round characters.
Types of Characterization There are two ways character is established: Direct Characterization This is where the author comes right out and tells the reader what a certain character is like. Example: In “Being Comfortable with being Weird”, the author/narrator calls a character a “superficial little wench.” Or using the character’s name to show their personality. Example: Character’s Name (or nickname) ex “Mouse” or “Mrs. Nosy”
Types of Characterization Indirect Characterization This is where the author gives certain information and lets readers draw their own conclusions and make inferences about the character. 1.SPEECH - What a character says (dialogue) gives insight to his/her personality. 2.THOUGHTS - What a character thinks and feels. 3.EFFECTS ON OTHERS - What others say or think about the character. 4.ACTIONS - What a character does (actions). 5.LOOKS - The physical description of the character: what he/she looks like! The acronym for this is STEAL!
Point of View Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told There are THREE common points of view: First-person point of view : the story is told by the protagonist, a minor character or an interested bystander using the pronouns I or we Third-person OMNISCIENT point of view: all-seeing, all- knowing perspective. It reveals the thoughts and emotions of several characters using he, she, and they. Third-person LIMITED point of view: uses the pronouns he, she and they, but tells the story from the perspective of one of the characters.
Theme TTheme is the main message or idea the author is trying to communicate in the story about life or human nature. IIt is generally an underlying idea or value about the very topic that the author wrote about TThemes are often universal truths that are suggested by the specifics of the story but it is not stated directly. TTheme is not directly stated MMost simply it CAN BE the moral or lesson BUT these are different concepts SSome examples: TTragic Love in Romeo and Juliet FFitting In in Being Comfortable with being Weird
Literary Devices Literary devices are used to enhance the reader’s experience. Here are a few examples: Simile – Comparisons between two things that doesn’t seem alike using “like” or “as” (ie. She’s as light as a feather.) Metaphor – A comparison between two things without using the words “like” or “as” (eg. This class is a zoo, Her room is a pig sty.) Personification – The author gives inanimate objects human qualities (ie. The wind whispered through the trees.). Allusion - a reference to another literary work, person, place, event, or object from history, literature, or mythology (ie. “I was surprised his nose was not growing like Pinocchio’s.”) Symbolism – the practice of representing things by items, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. (Ex. a dove means purity)
Literary Devices cont… Foreshadowing – The author gives clues about what is going to happen later in the plot. It builds suspense and helps prepare the reader for what will happen later in the story Suspense - That quality of a literary work that makes the reader or audience uncertain or tense about the outcome of events. Suspense makes the reader ask "What will happen next?". Flashback - A literary or cinematic device in which an earlier event is inserted into the normal chronological order of a narrative. Irony – Contrast between what appears to be and what really is. Verbal irony – the intended meaning is the opposite of what one says (sarcasm) Dramatic irony – the audience/ reader knows more than the characters in the story Situational irony – the reversal of what we expect occurs (ex. a fire station burning down)