The Short StoryHow to write

the best short story ever!

Who are the 2 BEST short story writers ever? (besides

you!) Edgar Allan Poe = Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher (also wrote The Raven)

Anton Chekov = The Lady and the Pet Dog, Misery, The Cherry Orchard

These are the ‘rules’ Purpose = to entertain and instruct Plot commences in ‘media res’ = gets

straight into it Limited number of characters and events Should be a ‘snapshot’ = no need to give

the background or the character’s life story

Now, for the 2 most important

rules!

Show don’t tell! Show your reader what is happening

don’t explain it to them.

They aren’t dumb dumbs – they can figure out what is happening without you explaining EVERYTHING.

No unnecessary detail!

“If I have a gun hanging on the wall…then that gun must be fired by the time the story

ends.”

Anton Chekov

Climax

Short Story Structure

Orientation – grab your reader by the

throat!!

2-3 events which

gradually build suspense Resolution =

cliffhanger, twist

NOW, IT’S TIME TO FIND THESE FEATURES IN A SHORT STORY!

Excellent…

Avon…

Structure How does the orientation of the story

engage the reader? What complications occur in the story

that build suspense and lead up to the climax?

What is the climax of the short story? How does the short story end? Why is

this ending effective/ineffective?

Key symbol

s in the text

Analysis of symbols

Time: Winter, evening

Winter is associated with dead things, endings and darkness. The fact that the woman arrives in the evening suggests that she works under the cover of darkness, or is associated with evil, or perhaps even the supernatural. This time also helps to create a gloomy, pensive and impending atmosphere.

Find examples in the text of:

Alliteration (1) Assonance (1) Personification (2) Metaphor (3) Simile (3) Appeals to the 5 senses (5 – aim for

one of each)

How is the woman represented as a supernatural being? Find examples.

Who/what do you think the woman symbolises?

What is the invited reading of the text?

What is your favourite line/description and why?