1. Short Stories
An Introduction
Ms. Citton

2. Things Every Short Story Has:
Setting
Theme
Conflict
Plot
Structure (Freytag)
Character

3. Setting
Where and when the story takes place

4. Theme
The moral or lesson of the story

5. Conflict Creates tension and interest in a story Person vs. Person
Person vs. Him/Herself
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Supernatural

6. Plot
The sequence of events in a story

7. Freytag's Pyramid Freytag’s Pyramid
a diagram of the structure of a five-act tragedy, given by Gustav Freytag
widely accepted (and sometimes adapted) as a means of analyzing the structure of many kinds of fiction in addition to drama.

8. The pyramid is made up of seven steps – four phases and three moments from beginning to end.

9. Stage 1
Exposition
the introductory material, which often creates the tone. Gives the setting, introduces the characters, and supplies other facts necessary for understanding

10. Stage 2
Inciting Moment
the event or force that sets in motion the rising action of a work of fiction. Also called the precipitating incident, exciting force or narrative hook.

11. Stage 3
Rising Action
the part of the dramatic action that has to do with the complication of the action. Begins with the inciting moment, gains interest or power as the opposing groups/ideas come into conflict, and proceeds to the climax. It can also be called the complication.

12. Stage 4
Climax
the turning point in the action, the crisis at which the rising action reverses and becomes the falling action. Sometimes called the reversal.

13. Stage 5
Falling Action
the second half of the dramatic plot. It follows the climax and often exhibits the winding down of the climax.

14. Stage 6
Resolution
the end of the falling action and the solution of the conflict. The resolution is not always a happy ending.

15. Stage 7
Denouement
involves not only the resolution of the conflict but an explanation of all the secrets and misunderstandings connected with the plot; the tying up of loose ends, exposure of a villain, clearing up a mistaken identity, reuniting characters, etc.

16. Character
Anyone/thing who participates in the story (animal, person, ghost etc.)
Major vs. minor
Protagonist, Antagonist
Dynamic, static, round, flat

17. Next Class(es) Characters and character sketches For Monday:
Bring your Visual Journals to Class