Short StoriesShort Storiesa literary a literary proseprose piece, usually a piece, usually a narrative, which focuses sharply narrative, which focuses sharply

on one character or on one character or eventevent; ; generally readable in a single generally readable in a single

sittingsitting

When we discuss short stories, When we discuss short stories, we usually talk about their we usually talk about their elements.elements.

Story Elements

Character Plot Setting Theme Point of View

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CharacterCharacter• A person or A person or animal animal that that

takes part in the takes part in the actionaction of of the storythe story– We usually get to know the We usually get to know the

characterscharacters• Through the author’s physical Through the author’s physical

descriptiondescription

• Through their actionsThrough their actions

• Through their Through their wordswords (dialogue)(dialogue)

• Through their inner Through their inner thoughtsthoughts

• Through what other Through what other characters say and characters say and thinkthink about themabout them

PlotPlot

• The sequence of The sequence of eventsevents in a story; the in a story; the actionaction and and problems problems (conflicts) that occur in a story(conflicts) that occur in a story– Plot OutlinePlot Outline

• Exposition- the background or introductory information Exposition- the background or introductory information the reader must have in order to understand the storythe reader must have in order to understand the story

• Rising Action- all of the events that take place leading Rising Action- all of the events that take place leading up to the up to the climaxclimax

• Climax- Climax- the turning pointthe turning point. Here the story is turned in a . Here the story is turned in a different direction, toward the conclusion, which is the different direction, toward the conclusion, which is the wrapping up of the story.wrapping up of the story.

• Falling Action- the immediate reaction to the Falling Action- the immediate reaction to the climax.climax.• Resolution or Denouement- the conclusion of the Resolution or Denouement- the conclusion of the plotplot. .

All loose ends are tied up.All loose ends are tied up.

All plots involve conflict!All plots involve conflict!– Types of conflictTypes of conflict

• InternalInternal– Person vs Person vs selfself (internal struggle (internal struggle

concerning emotion and decision)concerning emotion and decision)

• External External – Person vs Person vs personperson (external struggle (external struggle

between two or more individuals)between two or more individuals)– Person vsPerson vs nature nature (external struggle (external struggle

between man and an element of between man and an element of nature)nature)

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SettingSetting

• The time and place The time and place of the actionof the action– We get information We get information

about the setting about the setting fromfrom• Sensory Sensory detailsdetails

(sight, hearing, (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell)touch, taste, smell)

• Figurative Figurative languagelanguage (personification, (personification, similes, metaphors)similes, metaphors)

Point of viewPoint of view• The vantage point from which a The vantage point from which a

story is toldstory is told– Third person point of view- Called third Third person point of view- Called third

person because narrator uses third person because narrator uses third person pronouns (he, she) to tell the person pronouns (he, she) to tell the storystory• two kinds: two kinds: limitedlimited and and omniscientomniscient

– Third person limited: the narrator Third person limited: the narrator relates the inner thoughts and relates the inner thoughts and feelings of only one character, and feelings of only one character, and everything is viewed from this everything is viewed from this character’s perspectivecharacter’s perspective

– Third person omniscient: the Third person omniscient: the narrator knows and tells about what narrator knows and tells about what eacheach character feels and thinks character feels and thinks

– First person point of view- an “I” tells First person point of view- an “I” tells the story. Our perception of the other the story. Our perception of the other characters comes from this person’s characters comes from this person’s view; the person telling the story view; the person telling the story participates in the actionparticipates in the action

ThemeTheme

• The central The central message, concern, message, concern, or or purpose purpose of a of a storystory