Characteristics of the Short Story

1. Characteristics of the Short Story

2. Short (duh): can be read in one sitting Concise: information offered is relevant to the story being told (novels can diverge, short stories should not) Single Impression: usually built around one character, place, idea, or action Overall

3. The action that takes place in the story • Stages: • Exposition: introduction of characters, setting • Conflict: initial problem or situation • Rising Action: circumstances the heighten anticipation • Climax: highest point of anticipation • Falling Action/Resolution (denouement): ending Plot

4. Background against which the incidents of the story take place Includes the place where, the time when, and the social conditions under which the story moves along Can also include atmosphere, or tone/feeling Setting

5. Must be living beings in the story that think or act to keep the story going, or they must seem like living and feeling individuals • Four Methods of Presentation: • Actions or thoughts • Conversations the characters engages in • Conversations about the main character • Author’s own opinion (overt or implied) Character

6. Third person • Author omniscient: writer is all knowing, all seeing • Author as observer: writer has no sight into the character’s actions/thoughts; objective • Multiple storytellers: different characters narrate • First person • Author participant: author may be main character, secondary character, or take on a role Point of View

7. The total meaning of the story Does not have to be tied up in simple morals Many times, the stories let readers see the outcomes of certain behaviors Stated or implied, traditional or against the norm Without, the story will lack meaning or purpose Theme