1. t
Short Stories

2. What Makes a Good Short Story?
A good short story can usually be read in one sitting . . .
has 1 or 2 well-developed characters
tries to leave behind a single impression or effect
has a problem/conflict within a plot, which is developed as the story (the plot) progresses
has a recognizable solution to the conflict

3. What is setting? Purposes of setting:
The SETTING of a story serves different functions in the action and the emotional effect it has on the reader. In some stories, the setting might almost be considered a “character” itself!
Purposes of setting:
provides a backdrop for the action
establishes atmosphere (mood)
shapes characters and action
reflects character psychology

4. How do authors create setting?
Details: By building their description of setting with realistic details, authors make their story seem more believable—such as using actual street names when setting a story in a real city, or choosing authentic details to depict a setting set in a foreign country
Sensory Images: By describing settings in images that appeal to the reader’s senses, the author creates a vivid atmosphere that readers can associate with settings in their own experiences—such as the smell of a bread baking in a farmhouse kitchen, the feel of swimming in a cool lake, or the sound of rain falling on a tin roof.

5. What is plot?? Plot: The series of events that makes up a story.
Parts of plot:
1. Exposition: Introduction to the story. We meet the characters, get some background, find out the setting (where/when)
2. Rising Action: Conflict is revealed
3. Climax: Turning point or most exciting part of plot
4. Falling Action: Conflict begins to get resolved
5. Resolution: Ending of the story; conflict resolved

6. Plot, cont….. Exposition Resolution Action (Denouement) Rising Action
Climax
Falling
Action (Denouement)
Rising
Action
Exposition Resolution

7. Plot, cont…….. Plot of “Three Little Pigs”
Events:
1. 3 little pigs leave their home for the first time
2. First 2 pigs love to party, so when it comes time to build each of their houses, they just throw a couple of structures together.
3. Pig #1 makes a straw house.
4. Pig #2 makes a stick house.
5. Big Hungry Wolf comes to kill and eat Pig #1 and Pig #2 by blowing their houses apart
6. Easy to do since the houses STINK!
7. They escape, though and run to hard working brother, Pig #3. He has been building a brick house.
8. Big Hungry Wolf tries to blow down the brick house, but it is too strong.
9. He slides down the chimney of the brick house as a way to get into the house and get the 3 pigs while pigs put boiling water in bottom of chimney
10. Wolf lands in boiling water. OUCH!
11. The 3 pigs live happily ever after. Pig #1 and #2 pay rent to Pig #3 to stay in his house, however. 

8. Plot, cont….. In your notes, plot “The Three Little Pigs”
Climax
Falling
Action (Denoument)
Rising
Action
Exposition Resolution

9. Plot……… Happily Ever After  Exposition
CLIMAX: Wolf climbs on roof & down chimney
Rising Action: 1. Wolf blows
down houses
2. Pigs run to smart brother’s Falling Action:
House Wolf lands in boiling water. OUCH!
3. Wolf comes to brick house
4. Wolf fails to blow house down
Happily Ever After 
Exposition
1.3 Pigs leave home, Resolution
2.Build structures of
straw & sticks
3. Party!

10. What is conflict?
All stories are built on CONFLICT. It provides the central source of tension and drama that makes stories interesting to read.
Types of Conflicts
Character vs. Character
Character vs. Society
Character vs. Nature/Technology
Character vs. Self
Character vs. Fate

11. INTERNAL VS. EXTERNAL – LET’S REVIEW!
Conflict, cont…..
Character vs. Character - involves conflict b/w people, such as family conflict, trouble with a friend, difficulties in romance, etc.
Character vs. Society-involves conflict b/w an individual and larger groups—such as an outsider in a strange culture, a poor character’s struggle to “make it” in the business world, etc.
Character vs. Nature/Technology-involves conflict b/w and individual and the natural world-such as fighting a powerful hurricane, surviving a plane crash in the desert, etc. OR man-made technology
Character vs. Self-involves characters’ psychological conflicts with themselves -such as overcoming self-esteem issues, grieving over the loss of a loved one, etc.
Character vs. Fate-involves conflict with what seems to be an uncontrollable problem, such as destiny.
INTERNAL VS. EXTERNAL – LET’S REVIEW!

12. What is character?
CHARACTER is perhaps the most important of all elements of the short story. It is usually the people in the stories that interest us the most.

13. Understanding character
Does the character . . .
Characters are defined by the qualities that make them think, feel, and act in certain ways. To understand each character completely, try looking at him/her from different angles:
Values: What people, places or things are most important in the character’s life? What does he/she value most?
Feelings: What emotions does the character feel strongly? (Anger? Fear? Love? Hate?...)
Goals: What are character’s greatest hopes? Working to accomplish?
Problems: What other characters or circumstances are keeping the character from achieving his or her goals?
Motivations: Why does the character act or do the way he/she does?

14. Characterization
Direct Characterization: The author TELLS the reader information about the character directly
Indirect characterization: The author SHOWS the character in action and lets the readers make their own interpretations.
Author’s characterization tools:
Character’s name
Physical appearance
Character’s dress
Occupation
Home & surroundings
Habits & actions & words
What other characters say or think about him/her

15. Direct Characterizations
Narrator explicitly describes a character.
Ex: Tom struggled in school but tried hard.
Pam was lazy but learned really quickly.
Explicit: Clearly stated.

16. Indirect Characterization
Character traits revealed through actions
Ex: Jess left the pizza crust on her floor.
Tim helped old Ms. Jones with her bags.
Indirect characterizations are implicit.
Implicit: not clearly stated, implied.

17. Types of Character
Protagonist: the main character, typically the “good guy”, but NOT always
Antagonist: the character or force in conflict; will operate against the protagonist, but is NOT always evil

18. What is theme?
Theme is a novel/short story/poem/author’s central statement, idea, observation, message or insight into life; a “universal truth”.
It is NOT “What the story is about.” It is what the story MEANS.

19. Some Traditional story themes
Have you encountered any of these common theme patterns in your reading?
The struggle between good and evil
The differences between nature and civilized society
The conflict between the individual and society or a group
The differences between country and city life
The conflict between human free will and fate
The conflict between free will and non-free societies

20. Recognizing theme: some pointers
When looking for theme, consider some of these possible clues:
The title of the story
Important images or symbols in the story
General observations made by the author, narrator or characters in the story
Any “moral “ suggested by the outcome of the conflict.