1. 9th Grade Literature Coach Hunt & Ms. Roberts
Short Story Elements
9th Grade Literature
Coach Hunt & Ms. Roberts

2. Directions (Don’t Copy This)
As we go through these slides over the next few weeks, we’re going to practice practical note-taking. When you’re copying notes in your classes, you don’t have to write down every word – in fact it’s a huge waste of time and energy. For this PowerPoint, listen and read all the slides, but only copy what is underlined!

3. Setting
Definition – The time and location in which a story takes place is called the setting.
Aspects of Setting to Consider
Place – geographic location. Where is the action of the story taking place?
Time – When is the story taking place (historical period, time of day, year, etc.)
Weather conditions – Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?

4. Setting (Cont.)
Social Conditions – What is the daily life of the character’s like? Does the story contain local color (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)?
Mood or Atmosphere – What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

5. Plot
Definition – The plot is how the author arranges events to develop his basic idea; it is the sequence of events in the story or play. The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle and end. Short stories usually have one plot and can be read in one sitting.
There are 5 essential parts of plot

6. Plot Diagram
Resolution

7. Elements of Plot
Exposition – The beginning of the story where the characters and setting are revealed
Rising Action – This is where the events of the story become complicated and the conflict of the story is revealed (events between introduction and climax)
Climax – This is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the story. The reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not?

8. Elements of Plot (cont.)
Falling Action – The events and complications begin to resolve themselves (events between the climax and resolution)
Resolution – This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story (also called Denouement)

9. Conflict
Without conflict there is no plot. It is the opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot move. Conflict is any form of opposition that faces the main character. Within a short story there may be only one central struggle, or there may be one dominant struggle with many minor ones.

10. 2 Types of Conflict
External – A struggle with a force outside of one’s self
Internal – A struggle within one’s self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.

11. 4 Kinds of Conflict
Man vs. Man – The leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men, forces of nature or animals.
Man vs. Circumstances – The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him/her.
Man vs. Society – The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people.
Man vs. Self – The leading character struggles with himself; with his own soul, ideas of right and wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.

12. Character
Protagonist – Clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character.
Antagonist – The person or force that opposes the main character.

13. Characterization You can “characterize” someone by…
Their physical appearance
What they say, think, feel or dream
What the do or do not do
What others say about them and how others react to them

14. Types of Characterization
Static/Flat – Character has one or two of his characteristics/qualities that never change and are emphasized
Dynamic/Round – Many sided and complex personalities

15. Point of View
First Person – The story is told by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely with the protagonist (using the pronouns I, me, we, etc.). The reader sees the story through this person’s eyes as they experience, and only knows what the character knows, sees, or feels
Third Person – The story is told by a narrator outside of the story and uses the pronouns he, she, they, etc. There are several different ways for authors to use 3rd person point of view. You will learn more about those next year.

16. Irony
Irony – expressing something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning

17. 3 Types of Irony
Situational – When the opposite of what you expect happens Ex. The fire station burning down
Dramatic – When the audience or reader knows more than the characters
Verbal – Sarcasm. Saying one thing, but meaning the opposite

18. Theme
The theme in a piece of fiction is its controlling idea or its central insight. It is the authors underlying meaning and main idea that is trying to convey. The theme may be the author’s thoughts about a topic or view of human nature.
The lesson or moral of the story.

19. Examples of Theme Things are not always as they appear Love is blind
Be careful what you wish for
People are afraid of change
Don’t judge a book by its cover

20. Symbolism
A symbol is a person, a place, an activity or an object that stands for something beyond itself.