1. Identifying the Elements of A Short Story

2. Short Story
Brief, fictional narrative intended to be read in a single sitting.
More focused and intense than longer fictional stories (novels).

3. Main Effect All elements of a short story combined. Characters Setting
Plot
Conflict
Unified, strong impression left on the reader.
(similar to Main Idea in non-fiction)

4. Characters Direct Characterization:
Tells the audience directly about the character’s personality.
Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”

5. Characters Indirect Characterization:
Shows things that reveal the character’s personality.
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on others toward the character
Actions
Looks

6. 5 “Big” Types of Conflict
What drives the plot!
Internal Conflict: takes place in the mind of the character. Usually when the character struggles to make a decision or overcome feelings.
Man vs. Self
External Conflict: takes place between a character and an outside force.
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society
Man vs. Technology

7. Themes & Symbols
Theme: Lesson or insight into life the reader can take away from the story.
Example: Love is the greatest magic on earth.
What book could that theme relate to?
Symbol: an object or story element that stands for a larger meaning.

8. Text Structure
The way in which an author organizes information in a story.
Creates effects like tension, mystery, and surprise.
The opening of a story stablishes the general feeling of a story.
Focus on Setting: “The hospital waiting room was empty at that hour of the night. It was so quiet I could hear the second hand on the large wall clock toll each passing second.”
Focus on Character: “I’ll never forget my grandfather. He was the most charming man I ever met.”
in medias res: Latin for “in the middle of things. “’Someone call for help!’ shouted a man at the side of the road.”

9. Text Structure Sequence: Plot narrated mostly in chronological order.
Flashback: Sections of a narrative that describe a time before the present time of the story.
Foreshadowing: Gives reader hints about what will happen later on in the story. Can be subtle and hard to notice!
“That would be the last time they spoke.”

10. Text Structure
Pacing: Refers to the “speed” with which a narrator relates events.
“Beads of sweat stood out on Agent Vole’s forehead. As he struggled with the ropes that bound him, he could hear each beat of his heart, rapid but distinct. Ba-dum, ba-dum. With each beat, the second hand on the timing device clicked one notch closer to catastrophe.”
Fast or slow pace?

11. Point of View
Also called, Narrative Perspective, it’s the point of view from which a story is told.
Determines the information an author includes (think dramatic irony).
Third-person omniscient: Narrator is outside the events of the story and tells the thoughts and feelings of all characters.
Third-person limited: Narrator is outside the story but tells only the thoughts and feelings of one character.
First-person: Narrator is a character in the story and uses the pronouns I and me.

12. Plot Diagram 3 4 2 1 5

13. Plot (definition)
Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.

14. 1. Exposition Usually occurs at the beginning of a short story.
Characters are introduced.
Also learn the setting of the story.
Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (inciting incident).
Sometimes occurs before the
story begins.

15. 2. Rising Action
This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s).
A building of interest or suspense occurs.

16. 3. Climax
This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

17. 4. Falling Action
All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

18. 5. Resolution
The story comes to a reasonable ending.

19. Putting It All Together
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
Beginning of Story
Middle of Story
End of Story