Short Story Unit: Plot Structure, Character Types & Characterization Review

Short Story Unit:Plot Structure, Character Types & Characterization Review Ms. Dietsch

Part 1: What is a “Plot”? • A plot is a fancy word for the events that happen in a story. • Every story, movie, book, play, etc has a plot.

What is a “Plot Structure”? • This is a term that refers to the different parts/sections of the plot: • Exposition • Rising Action • Climax • Falling Action • Resolution

Exposition • Background information: stuff you need to know in order to understand the story • Setting • Time • Place • Characters

Rising Action • These are the important events that happen in the story which lead up to the climax

Climax • It is not always the most exciting or thrilling part of the story, but it can be. • The true definition is when the protagonist’s conflicts are resolved. • AKA the turning point of the story • It doesn’t mean that it’s a happy ending it just means that the conflict is done with.

Falling Action • These are events that happen after the climax, which lead the plot to the resolution. • Some stories do not have falling action at all.

Resolution • This is when the story comes to a conclusion. • Sometimes stories do not have a resolution.

Plot Chart

Part 2: Character Types • The label for characters’ roles in stories: • Protagonist • Antagonist • Round • Flat • Dynamic • Static

Protagonist • Moves the plot forward • Most of the time is the main character, but not always

Antagonist • The character that opposes the protagonist • Sometimes is the “villain” • Sometimes the antagonist is an object or something abstract rather than a character

Round Character • This is a character that the author has developed well or described really well to the reader • The reader usually knows everything about this character • There can be several round characters in any story

Flat Character • Opposite of round character • Reader does not know very much about this character • Most of the time they are not in the forefront of the story • They can be very pivotal to a story

Static Character • Definition of static: means to be still • Static characters stay the same • They do not change through the whole story

Dynamic Character • Opposite of static • The character changes in the story • They have personality shifts, or changes of heart, etc.

Part 3: Characterization • A term that is synonymous to personality characteristics. • We do this in real life…EVERY day.

Characterization • There are two types of characterization: • Direct characterization • Indirect characterization

Direct Characterization • When you figure out a character in a direct (straight forward) manner; • There are 3 ways to do this: • Another character reveals a characteristic about them • The character tells you something about themselves • The narrator tells you something about the character

Indirect Characterization • When you figure out what type of person a character is by observation: • What they say • How they act • What they think • How they look • And their effect other characters (how they treat others) • We can learn a lot about people in our daily lives through these same observations.

Short Story Unit: Plot Structure, Character Types & Characterization Review