Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

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Elements of the Short Story

Transcript of Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

Page 1: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

Elements of the Short Story

Page 2: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

Six Major ElementsSix Major Elements Setting

Plot

Conflict

Point of View

Character

Theme

Page 3: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

A Closer look at…the A Closer look at…the SettingSetting

The time and place in which a story takes place

Its purpose is to create a specific mood or atmosphere

What factors contribute to the setting?

- place -time -weather conditions

- social conditions - mood or atmosphere

Page 4: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

The town was cheerless and cold, and the river a muddy creek that wound its way among salt flats before entering that distant line of gray that was the sea. The tide was out; the scene was desolate, with only one human being to be seen.

--The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman

What is the mood?

Page 5: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

A Closer look at…the A Closer look at…the PlotPlot

How the author arranges events to develop his/her basic idea

- the sequence of events in a story or play

- a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and an end

- short stories usually have one plot

The plot:

- Adds suspense, tension, or excitement

- May foreshadow or hint at what is to come

- May incorporate flashbacks to tell about an event or experience from the past

Page 6: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

Plot LinePlot Line

Exposition: background/gives rise to conflict

Rising action: events that complicate the central conflict

Climax: the highest point of interest or emotional involvement

Falling Action: result of the climax

Resolution: final outcome of the story

Exposition/IntroRisi

ng

Action

Climax

Resolution

Falling

Action

Page 7: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

A Closer look at…A Closer look at…ConflictConflict

Essential component of the plot

It is the opposition of forces-ties one incident to another- makes the plot move

Not limited to open arguments- it is any opposition that faces

the main character

Within a story - there may be only one central struggle

- there may be one dominant struggle with minor ones

Page 8: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

Conflict…Conflict… External: outside force may be a person, group, nature,

or nonhuman obstacle

1) Man v Man (physical)

2) Man v Nature/Circumstance (classical)

3) Man v Society (social)

Internal: exists within the character or mind

1) Man v Self

Page 9: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

A Closer look at…Point A Closer look at…Point of Viewof View

First person: story told by the protagonist – uses first person pronouns like I, we, us,

Third person: narrator reports on the characters’ actions but cannot reveal emotions or feelings – uses pronouns like he or she

Omniscient: narrator is all knowing and can reveal the thoughts and feelings of emotions of characters

-omniscient limited: only in one person's head

Page 10: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

A Closer look at…A Closer look at…CharacterCharacter

Characters can be people or animals

Dynamic/Round: three-dimensional, good and bad qualities, changes or undergoes a change throughout story

Static/Flat: two-dimensional, does not change or undergo a serious change, usually all good or all bad

Protagonist: main character

Antagonist: character in conflict with major character

Page 11: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

CharacterizationCharacterization Direct: the author tells the audience the character’s personality

Julie owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try.

Indirect: the author shows the audience the character’s personality

Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.

Page 12: Elements of the Short Story. Six Major Elements Setting Plot Conflict Point of View Character Theme.

A Closer look at…A Closer look at…ThemeTheme

The central message, concern, or insight into life expressed in a literary story

- implied: theme is inferred by reader; reader interprets the theme

- stated: explicitly or directly stated by the author

It may be a comment about human beings or life “Every man needs to feel allegiance to his native country whether he appreciates that country or not.” –from A Man without a Country by E. Hale

It can be expressed in 1-2 sentences – it’s never “one word”

- “love” cannot be a theme. What about love is the author attempting to show? For example, a theme could be “love can overcome any obstacle”