1. Little Buddy Story
By Connie Matthews

2. Essential Questions
How do writers enhance short fiction through the use of literary elements (irony, conflict, symbolism)?
How does the structure of a piece of literature (plot, setting, point of view) contribute to the author’s theme?
How does an author’s character development enhance the theme of a fiction piece?

3. Understanding Plot
Definition: The plot of a story is a series of events related to the solution of a problem or conflict. The Plot Includes:
Climax
Falling Action
Rising Action
Conflict
Exposition
Resolution

4. Exposition
Exposition: introduces the situation Includes the following: Setting: Time and place of the short story Situation/Climate: The tone of the story Characters: Who are the main characters? Are there any minor characters?

5. PROTAGONIST vs. ANTAGONIST
Rising Action
The Rising Action includes a conflict.
A conflict in a narrative is a struggle between two opposing forces.
PROTAGONIST vs. ANTAGONIST
______________vs. _____________
Internal conflict occurs within a character.
External conflict occurs between an outside force and the main character.

6. Climax
The climax is the turning point in the short story. During the climax, the characters or circumstances change (for the worse or the better) due to an action upon which the main plot hinges. Some people describe the climax as the most exciting point.

7. Falling Action
Falling action include events that “fall into place” as a result of the climax. During this time, the suspense builds; "the plot thickens." Characters make decisions in response to the opening conflict; these decisions complicate the action.

8. Resolution
At the end of the falling action, every story comes to a conclusion or resolution. Usually the resolution ends with some kind of release of tension or anxiety (but not always). The resolution may reveal the final outcome of the story or end without every question being answered.

9. Your Little Buddy Story
Must include the following:
All the elements of a short story
At least one picture created by your little buddy
Every page of your story must include a picture (either scanned or copied from the Internet legally)
Your little buddy must be the main character (all other characters are up to you)
Minimum of 10 pages and maximum of 20 pages of typed text
Must be bound and decorated attractively