1. Introduction to Short Stories
Plot triangles, literary terms and reading strategies

2. What is a plot triangle?
A plot triangle shows the typical progression of events in a story.
There are five parts of a plot triangle: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Also known as Freytag’s Pyramid

3. Freytag’s Pyramid (Plot Triangle)
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Exposition
Resolution

4. Exposition (introduction): The beginning of a story that introduces characters, setting and conflict.
Rising Action: Conflict is established and intensifies.
Climax: Highest point of action in story or turning point in the story.
Falling Action: Conflict is in process of being resolved; all action following climax
Resolution: Conflict is resolved and “loose ends” are tied up.

5. Assignment
Choose a fairy tale: “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Three Little Pigs” or “Hansel and Gretel.”
As a group, retell the story.
Create a plot triangle for your group’s fairy tale.

6. Definitions and Examples
Literary Terms
Definitions and Examples

7. Setting The time and place a story takes place
Example: Monster takes place in a prison/courtroom in New York City around 2000.

8. Simile A comparison of two unlike objects using like or as.
Example: The water hit me like a bull running a full speed.

9. Metaphor A direct comparison of two unlike objects.
Example: The sun is a bright yellow beach ball floating in the sky.

10. Personification Giving a non-human object human characteristics.
Example: The tree limbs waved hello to me from the distance.

11. Protagonist The main character of the story (not always the good guy)
Example: The protagonist of Monster is Steve.

12. Antagonist
The character who causes problems or opposes the main character (not always the bad guy)
Example: The prosecutor, Petrocelli, is the antagonist in Monster.

13. Conflict
A struggle or clash between opposing characters or opposing forces.
Example: Two students arguing over who is right.

14. Two types of conflict Internal Conflict External Conflict
A struggle within the mind of a character. Person vs. himself
Example: A character cannot decide whether to skip school or go to class.
A struggle with an outside opposing force. Person vs. person, person vs. nature, person vs. society .

15. Alliteration
Repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close together in a passage or poem.
Example: The beautiful baby boy waved bye-bye to his brother.

16. Onomatopoeia A word whose sound imitates its meaning.
Examples: The bee buzzed my ear.
The thud of the book landing on the carpet scared me.

17. Theme Central idea of a work or literature (moral of the story)
Example: The theme of Monster was to be careful who you hang around because you will be judged by the company you keep.

18. Hyperbole
A gross or extreme exaggeration of a truth to show strong emotion or for humor.
Example: When my mom saw my report card, she was so mad I thought her head would explode.

19. Foreshadowing
Hints and clues to events that will happen later in the story.

20. Pun A play on words using
Two words that sound the same but have different meanings.
A word with more than one meaning.