SHORT STORY ELEMENTS

Most Dangerous GameScarlet Ibis

Through the Tunnel

Short Story defined:A short story is a narrative which can be read in one sitting. Can you draw the elements of a plot chart?

Point of View

• First person point of view is from the viewpoint of someone in the story. The narrator is in the story itself and cannot reveal the thoughts of others. The narrator reveals his own thoughts, motivations and actions in relationship to the other characters in the story. There is only one point of view; the story is skewed according to the narrator’s opinion

• Second person is from the viewpoint of the reader. The writer pulls the reader into the story or essay by addressing the reader by using the word “you.”. For our purposes here, do not write in second person unless the writing is technical (informational), such as directions or instructions.

POINTS of VIEW

I climbed a mountain. Breathtaking is the only word I can find that accurately describes what I saw at the top. I think my fellow hikers were just as enamored.

You go to the bottom of a mountain with all the necessary supplies. Then you hike until you get to the top. Enjoy!

April and Mary trudged to the top of the high mountain. April got so tired and hungry that she did not enjoy the exercise, but Mary shouted with glee when she got to the top because she was enamored with the view. She thought, who cares if I am tired and hungry? I can see wonder all around me. It was definitely worth the pain!

Third Person is from the view point of an outsider.

• 3rd person Limited: The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of usually one (perhaps two), but not all of the characters. The narrator is limited in that he does not know all.

• 3rd person Omniscient: The narrator is an “all knowing” outsider who enters the minds of more than one or several characters.

3rd Person Objective

Narrator does not share the thoughts and feelings of any of the

characters.

NoInsideInformation

NoInsideInformation

SYMBOL

• Symbolism is used to attach more than the literal meaning of a story.

• A symbol is a person or object which has a literal meaning, but also another meaning

• Examples:• The Scarlet Ibis was not just a red bird…• The tunnel in “Through the Tunnel” was not just a tunnel.• Jerry’s mom’s arm was not just an arm• In “The Scarlet Ibis,” the name “Doodle” indicated the way

little brother traveled when he was first learning to crawl. But is also symbolized…

Tone and MoodTone is the attitude of the writer/speaker toward the subject.

Mood is the attitude of the reader.

When thinking about tone, think of how the author is feeling as he writes it. If he were telling it out loud, what would his tone of voice be? Angry? Scared? Sarcastic? Bitter? Remorseful? Carefree? How does the narrator of “The Scarlet Ibis” feel toward what happened in his life? How does Amy Tan feel about what happened in “Fish Cheeks?” How is the tone (represents Amy Tan as she wrote the story) in her story different from the mood (represents how Amy felt in the story)?How does Tim O’ Brien feel about his story “Ambush?” Tone is remorse, regret, guiltHow does Joan Bauer feel about Jill? Tone is humor

TONEvideo clip

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXeINWQ5VHM&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

THEME

• The theme is the lesson or overall message that drives the plot in a story. The writing will include a generalization about life that is inferred by the reader, not directly stated by the author. Many scholars say a theme must be in sentence form. Others say it is one word or phrase. For example, the theme of “The Scarlet Ibis,” by James Hurst is regret. Or it could be said that the theme is “regret causes pain.” Another theme Of “The Scarlet Ibis” is selfishness and pride. Or it can be said that the theme is: “pride and selfishness can lead to horrific results.” For our purposes here, we will write a statement about the theme.

ThemeThe Most Dangerous Game

Through the Tunnel

Independence, determination, rite de passage, letting go

Think of a statement for each theme word or phrase regarding the short story indicated:

Cruelty, man’s instinct to kill and survive, reason

Theme- The Scarlet Ibis

• Think of a sentence for the following theme words for the Scarlet Ibis: Guilt, redemption, nostalgia, pride

Purpose of Dialogue

• 1. Moves the plot (through communication between characters)

• 2. Develops and characterizes a character• 3. Provides white spaces, which is pleasing to

the eye.• 4. Integrates theme

Characterization Counts

• Indirect/inferred

S speechT thoughtsE effects on othersA actionsL looks

• direct