Introduction to Short Stories

Plot triangles, literary terms and reading strategies

What is a plot triangle?

A plot triangle shows the typical progression of events in a story.

There are five parts of a plot triangle: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Also known as Freytag’s Pyramid

Freytag’s Pyramid (Plot Triangle)

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Exposition (introduction): The beginning of a story that introduces characters, setting and conflict.

Rising Action: Conflict is established and intensifies.

Climax: Highest point of action in story or turning point in the story.

Falling Action: Conflict is in process of being resolved; all action following climax

Resolution: Conflict is resolved and “loose ends” are tied up.

Assignment

Choose a fairy tale: “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Three Little Pigs” or “Hansel and Gretel.”

As a group, retell the story.Create a plot triangle for your group’s fairy

tale.

Literary Terms

Definitions and Examples

Setting The time and place a story takes place

Example: Monster takes place in a prison/courtroom in New York City around 2000.

Simile A comparison of two unlike objects using like or as.

Example: The water hit me like a bull running a full speed.

Metaphor A direct comparison of two unlike objects.

Example: The sun is a bright yellow beach ball floating in the sky.

Personification Giving a non-human object human characteristics.

Example: The tree limbs waved hello to me from the distance.

Protagonist The main character of the story (not always the good guy)

Example: The protagonist of Monster is Steve.

Antagonist The character who causes problems or opposes the main character (not always the bad guy)

Example: The prosecutor, Petrocelli, is the antagonist in Monster.

Conflict A struggle or clash between opposing characters or opposing forces.

Example: Two students arguing over who is right.

Two types of conflict

Internal Conflict

External Conflict

A struggle within the mind of a character. Person vs. himself

Example: A character cannot decide whether to skip school or go to class.

A struggle with an outside opposing force. Person vs. person, person vs. nature, person vs. society

.

Alliteration Repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close together in a passage or poem.

Example: The beautiful baby boy waved bye-bye to his brother.

Onomatopoeia A word whose sound imitates its meaning.

Examples: The bee buzzed my ear.

The thud of the book landing on the carpet scared me.

Theme Central idea of a work or literature (moral of the story)

Example: The theme of Monster was to be careful who you hang around because you will be judged by the company you keep.

Hyperbole A gross or extreme exaggeration of a truth to show strong emotion or for humor.

Example: When my mom saw my report card, she was so mad I thought her head would explode.

Foreshadowing Hints and clues to events that will happen later in the story.

Pun A play on words using

1. Two words that sound the same but have different meanings.

2. A word with more than one meaning.