Elements of Short Stories

1. Elements of Short Stories

2. Short Story • A genre of literature • A brief work of fiction • Short story titles should be capitalized correctly (first word, last words, & important words in the middle) • Should be put in quotations

3. Elements of Short Stories • Characters • Conflict • Plot • Setting • Point of View • Theme

4. Characters • People or animals in a story • Direct Characterization • The author describes a character • Directly tells reader something about him/her • Indirect Characterization • Author reveals the character through speech and actions

5. Conflict • Problem(s) the characters face • External • Struggle between a character and an outside force • Internal • Takes place within a character’s mind

6. Plot • The sequence of events • Exposition • Rising Action (introduces conflict & builds suspense, often through foreshadowing) • Climax • Falling Action • Resolution

7. Setting • Time & place of the action, including • Historical period • Physical location • Season of year/time of day • Climate/weather • Culture & social systems & traditions

8. Point of View • The perspective from which a short story is told, or narrated • Affects the kinds of information readers receive

9. Point of View (POV) • First-Person POV: the narrator is a character in the story; readers learn only what that character knows, thinks, or feels • Third-Person POV: the narrator is not a character but a voice outside the story; may be omniscient or limited • 3rd Person Omniscient: narrator relates the inner thoughts and feelings of all characters • 3rd Person Limited: narrator reveals the thoughts and feelings of only one character

10. POV

11. Theme • The interaction of key story elements reveals the theme of a story. • In the best short stories, story elements interact to convey a meaningful theme, or message about life or human nature.

12. Theme • A central message or insight • Stated themes are expressed directly. • Implied themes are suggested by the author. • Universal themes recur in different cultures and time periods • Usually general statements about life (see anchor chart)

13. Theme • The theme is the lesson or message that the writer wants to get across in his or her story. • Usually theme is a statement about life or the way the world works. People apply these lessons or ideas to their own lives.

14. Theme • Usually NOT directly stated • It develops over the course of the story through characters, conflict, and plot. • Readers must infer the theme by analyzing clues and thinking about how they add up to a central message.

15. How do I find the theme in a story? • To find the theme, ask yourself, • What lesson did the main character in the story learn or fail to learn? • Other questions to ask yourself: • What is the moral of the story? • What lesson is the author trying to teach? • Which idea in the story can relate to everyday life?

16. Common Themes • The more you read, the more you will notice that some themes are used again and again. Here are some common themes: • Too much pride can destroy a person • Crime does not pay • Treat others the way you want to be treated • Going through hard times can make a person stronger • Love conquers all

17. Characters & Theme • Sometimes characters actions tell us about the theme. • Notice words, thoughts, and actions • Characters motivations may contribute to theme. • Dialogue (conversation) can help determine theme.

19. Conflict & Theme

20. Conflict & Theme

21. Plot & Theme • Exposition & Rising Action: develop the focus of the story • Climax (turning point): often reveals a shift that points to an underlying message • Resolution: as the story winds down, the message, or theme, becomes clearer

22. Sequence of Events • Chronological Order- order in which events happen • Flashback-a scene from the past (interruption in the plot to tell about something that previously happened) • Foreshadowing-clues that hint at events to come

23. P.O.V. & Theme • The narrator’s POV is important because readers know only what the narrator knows or chooses to tell us. • Use POV to determine theme by considering what message the narrator seems to think is important.

24. Setting & Theme • The time and place can affect everything from the characters’ motivations to the central conflict. • Therefore, it could have a strong influence on a story’s message, or theme.

25. Symbols & Theme • Symbol-a person, place, or object that represents something else • Ex. a dove is often a symbol for peace • Ex. the bald eagle is a symbol for America • Author’s use symbols to highlight or emphasize key concepts. • Pay attention to objects that seem to represent key ideas. • Understanding symbols can help you determine a story’s theme.

26. Conflict How does the main Character change as a result of the conflict? Character What is significant about a character’s words and actions? Plot What message is suggested by the story’s resolution? Theme Point of View How does the narrator’s perspective shape events? Symbols Do any story elements represent ideas greater than themselves? Setting How does the setting influence the plot & characters?

27. Close Read: Analyzing Story Elements • Close Read: “The Dinner Party” by Mona Gardner • Pg. 205-206