1. Short Stories

2. Parts of a Short Story
Exposition, or initial action : introduction and background
Rising action : suspense
Climax : most exciting part
Falling action: unraveling
Conclusion : resolution

6. What is a Short Story?
Prose fiction that usually revolves around a single incident in a character’s life. Short stories usually have only one turning point or climax. The essential elements of a short story include setting, characters, plot and theme.

7. What types of Short Stories are there?
Nonfiction- any piece of prose writing that is not based on the imaginary.
Fiction- prose in which the characters and events are imaginary.

8. Terms
Setting- time, place and circumstances the story or event takes place.
Narrator- the person who tells the story.

9. Terms
Point of View- the perspective from which events are seen, a story is told or an argument is made.
First person point of view/narrative- the narrator is “I”, one of the characters in the story. {I knew I wanted to go to the dance, but I wondered why Bill was angry}

10. Terms
Third person limited point of view/narrative- the narrator tells the story as he, she or they. {Helena knew she wanted to go to the dance but she wondered why Bill was angry}
Omniscient point of view/narrative- the narrator is all knowing and describes the thoughts and feelings of all the characters but is not a character in the story.
Example: {Helena’s teasing made Bill angry but he wasn’t going to think about that now. He would get the coolest Khakis to wear to the dance.}

11. Terms
Lead character- the character around whom the action revolves. This character’s appearance, background, feelings, and thoughts are all described in detail.

12. Terms
Minor/background characters-these characters are more a part of the setting and atmosphere.

13. Stereotype- a fixed idea where all members of a group are made out to be the same without room for individual differences. {The geek} also known as stock characters.

14. Characterization-the way an author creates characters
Characterization-the way an author creates characters. See your handout for; direct, indirect, motivation, flat, round, dynamic, static}
Character trait- a personality quality, how a character behaves
Example: mean, happy, kind, cheerful.

15. Character sketch- a brief description of a character, using support and evidence to show that character’s attitudes, feelings, thoughts and personality.

16. Conflict- the struggle between opposing forces

17. There are 3 types of Conflict
Internal (Person vs Themselves)- a character struggling with a decision or own feelings

18. Interpersonal (Person vs.Person) – character(s) versus character(s)

19. External (Person vs. Nature) - a character struggling against the outside world (Person versus Storm)

20. Terms Foreshadowing- hints about what is to come in a story.
Flashback- an episode in a story, which goes back to an earlier time.
Surprise ending-an ending where an event is both the climax and the resolution.

21. Theme/message- the main idea, moral or message of a text, also known as the central insight.

22. Literal meaning/language- when writing means exactly what it says.

23. Figurative meaning/language-When writing is meant to be understood at a deeper level. Figures of speech such as simile, metaphor, personification and other techniques are used to create more vivid, interesting images.

24. Imagery- language that appeals to the senses of sight, touch, taste, hearing and smell
Metaphor- a direct comparison. {The wind is a dancer}
Simile- a comparison using like or as. {He is as light as a feather}