Short Story Elements Setting Characters Plot Climax Theme Resolution.
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Transcript of Short Story Elements Setting Characters Plot Climax Theme Resolution.
Short Story ElementsSettingCharactersPlot ClimaxThemeResolution
SettingEvery short story has a background or setting
such asPlace
Where the events occurTime
When the events occurSensory details
Clothing, dialect, modes of transportation, etc.
The Functions of a SettingTo create a mood
or atmosphereTo show a reader
a different way of life
To make action seem more real
To be the source of conflict or struggle
To symbolize an idea
We left the home place behind, mile by slow mile, heading for the mountains, across the prairie where the wind blew forever.
At first there were four of us with one horse wagon and its skimpy load. Pa and I walked, because I was a big boy of eleven. My two little sisters romped and trotted until they got tired and had to be boosted up to the wagon bed.
That was no covered Conestoga, like Pa’s folks came West in, but just an old farm wagon, drawn by one weary horse, creaking and rumbling westward to the mountains, toward the little woods town where Pa thought he had an old uncle who owned a little two-bit sawmill.
Taken from “The Day the Sun Came Out” by D. Johnson
Types of CharactersPeople or animalsMajor charactersMinor charactersProtagonistAntagonist
ProtagonistThe “good guy” or hero/heroin in the story
who struggles against the conflict Usually the main character
AntagonistThe “bad guy” or villain in the story that
creates conflict for the protagonist.
Six Ways to Reveal CharacterTelling the audience directlyThoughtshots – revealing the character’s
thoughts or feelingsDialogue – character’s words when he/she
speaksThe character’s actionsDescriptions of how the character looksWhat other characters think of or say about
the character
Factors in Analyzing CharactersPhysical appearance of characterPersonalityBackground/personal historyMotivationRelationshipsConflictDoes character change?
PlotA series of events that make a story. A plot is
built around a conflict. Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story.
Man vs. Man An external struggle
Man vs. Self An internal struggle
Man vs. Society/Government An external struggle between a larger group: community,
society, culture, etc. Man vs. Nature
An external struggle between man and an element of nature
Plot DevelopmentMost plots develop in 5 basic stages
1. Exposition/Introduction Introduces the main characters and gives the
purpose or problem of the story: setting is revealed2. Rising Action
Happens as the plot “thickens” and the main conflict is revealed; mini-conflict s may add to the build-up of tension
Plot Development3. Climax
the highest point of interest; the turning point; the outcome of the conflict is revealed
4. Falling actionThe suspense goes away; may be very brief
5. Conclusion/Resolution Loose ends are tied up, story ends
Special Techniques of Special Techniques of PlotPlotForeshadowing- is a hint or clue about what
will happen in storyFlashback- interrupts the normal sequence
of events to tell about something that happened in the past
Suspense -is a feeling of excitement, curiosity, or
expectation about what will happen. Surprise Ending- conclusion that reader
does not expect
ThemeThe main message the author wants his/her
audience to take awayNot all stories have a theme
For example, the purpose of a horror story may be simply to scare the reader
Stated: writer states the theme of the storyImplied: theme is not stated
Theme ExamplesGood will triumph over evilHonesty is the best policySlow and steady wins the raceBelieve in yourselfPeople are afraid of changeDon’t judge a book by its cover
Point of ViewA writer tells his/her story from three points of
viewFirst Person
The author becomes the characterThird Person Limited
Author limits what he tells the reader to what a single character could observe or know (one character who can see only a part of the whole story)
Third Person Omniscient When a story is told from the viewpoint of someone who
can be in several places at the same time and can see into the hearts and minds of two or more characters.
Short story termsAtmosphere/Mood
This is the mood or spirit of the story.The mood of a story is the feeling created by
the writer and expressed through the setting.
ToneThe sound of the narrator’s voice; expresses
the writers attitude toward the story; it can range from playful or humorous to serious or tragic.
Two more short story termsSymbol
This is an image or object that also sands for something larger than itself. (For example, a flag is a symbol for the country it
represents.)
StyleThe unique flair with which the writer uses
language and words to create effect Like a person who wears a certain style of clothes
One more short story termIrony-is an implied discrepancy between what is
said and what is meant. The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; a statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea.
Three kinds of irony:1. verbal irony is when an author says one thing and
means something else.2. dramatic irony is when an audience perceives
something that a character in the literature does not know.
3. irony of situation is a discrepancy between the expected result and actual results.
Figurative and Literal LanguageLiterally: words function exactly as defined
The car is blue.He caught the football.
Figuratively: figure out what it means
I’ve got your back.
You’re a doll.
SimileComparison of two things using “like” or “as.”
Examples
The metal twisted like a ribbon.
She is as sweet as candy.
Important!Using “like” or “as” doesn’t make a simile.
A comparison must be made.
Not a Simile: I like pizza.
Simile: The moon is like a pizza.
MetaphorTwo things are compared without using “like”
or “as.”
Examples
Her lovely voice was music to his ears.
The alligator’s teeth are white daggers.
Her heart is stone.
Tom’s eyes were ice.
The snow is a white blanket.
PersonificationGiving human traits to objects or ideas.
Examples
The sunlight danced.
Water on the lake shivers.
The streets are calling me.
HyperboleExaggerating to show strong feeling or effect.
Examples
I will love you forever.
My house is a million miles away.
She’d kill me.
OnomatopoeiaA word that “makes” a soundSPLATPINGSLAMPOPPOW
IdiomA saying that isn’t meant to be taken literally.
Doesn’t “mean” what it says
Don’t be a stick in the mud!You’re the apple of my eye.I have an ace up my sleeve.
Repetition
Repeating a word or words for effect.
ExampleNobodyNo, nobodyCan make it out here alone.Alone, all aloneNobody, but nobodyCan make it out here alone.