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Elements of a Short Story. Mrs. Kelly Brown. Definition of a Short Story. Tells about a single event or experience Fictional (not true) 500 to 15,000 words in length It has a beginning, middle, and end Creates an impression on the reader
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Elements of a Short Story Mrs. Kelly Brown
Definition of a Short Story • Tells about a single event or experience • Fictional (not true) • 500 to 15,000 words in length • It has a beginning, middle, and end • Creates an impression on the reader • Includes all of the parts of plot: introduction, conflict, rising action (complications), climax and resolution
Elements of a Short Story • Setting • Characterization • Plot • Conflict • Climax • Resolution • Theme • Point of view
Every story needs characters Animals People Or Creatures
Short Story Vocabulary Protagonist: -the hero -leader of a cause -the good guy -Batman
Short Story Vocabulary Antagonist: -the opposing force -the “bad guy” -Joker
Short Story Vocabulary Characterization: is how we learn about a character We learn about them through: -How they look -How they act/what they do -What they say -How other characters respond to them and feel about them
Short Story Vocabulary Direct Characterization- when the narrator tells you directly about a character- Molly is a brat. Indirect Characterization- shows you a character’s traits through their actions or dialogue- Molly came into the kitchen and slammed down her backpack and said, “I don’t care what you say. YOU are NOT the boss of ME Mrs. Meany Pants!” SHOW don’t TELL- it is much more fun!!!
Short Story Vocabulary Setting:Tells the reader where and when the story takes place. You need to identify the people, places, times and objects involved. Use sensory details and figurative language to create a vivid picture with your words.
Short Story Vocabulary • Plot: A series of events through which the writer reveals what is happening, to whom, and why. • Parts of Plot: introduction, conflict, rising action (complications), climax and resolution
Short Story Vocabulary • Conflict: Is the problem in the story that needs to be resolved. In a short story this will not be too complex.
Great stories have an intriguing conflict Man vs. Society Man vs. Nature Man vs. Man Man vs. Machine Man vs. Himself
A hint about what will happen next is called foreshadowing For example, if you hear the Jaws theme music…….. Then you know someone’s about to get eaten!
Short Story Vocabulary Climax: When the action comes to its highest point of conflict and usually when the story can go either way
Short Story Vocabulary Resolution: The story’s action after the climax until the end of the story. The “conclusion” of the story.
Short Story Vocabulary Theme: The “message” the writer intends to communicate by telling the story
Short Story Vocabulary • Point of view: The position of the narrator of the story and what the writer sees from that vantage point • Choose: 1st Person, 3rd Person Limited or 3rd Person Omniscient
The point of view is the perspective of the story “I was framed! I just wanted to borrow a cup of sugar!” “That rotten wolf tried to eat us!!!!”
1.Quotation marks enclose the words used by a speaker or writer. 2.Periods and commas go inside the closing quotation mark. 3.A comma is used to set off a quote from the rest of the sentence. Example: “Come here,” said Marie. (comma inside) Example: Marie said, “Come here.” (comma used to set off direct quote, period inside) Example: “Come here,” said Marie, “I am waiting for you.” How To Use Quotation Marks:
4.Question marks and exclamation points go inside the closing quotation marks when they apply to the quoted words. Example: “Won’t you come over?” asked Marie. (question mark inside) Example: Did you hear me ask, “Won’t you come over”? Example: “Come over here now!” Marie exclaimed. (exclamation point inside)
5.You must indent when someone new begins to speak Example: Fausto looked at the bill and knew he was in trouble. Not with these nice folks or with his parents, but with himself. How could he have been so deceitful? The dog wasn’t lost. It was just having a fun Saturday walking around. “I can’t take that.” “You have to. You deserve it, believe me,” the man said. “No, I don’t.” “Now don’t be silly,” said the lady. She took the bill from her husband and stuffed it into Fausto’s shirt pocket. “You’re a lovely child. Your parents are lucky to have you. Be good and come see us again, please.”
What happened to you asked Melissa I slipped and sprained my ankle responded Nina Melissa asked how did you sprain your ankle Let’s Practice:
“What happened to you?” asked Melissa. “I slipped and sprained my ankle,” responded Nina. Melissa asked, “How did you sprain your ankle?” Let’s Practice:
It was my new spiked-heel shoes said Nina I warned you about those things said Melissa But, they look so cute on me Nina exclaimed Let’s Practice:
“It was my new spiked-heel shoes,” said Nina. “I warned you about those things,” said Melissa. “But, they look so cute on me!” Nina exclaimed. Let’s Practice:
Mom he said I want a guitar for Christmas Did you hear me ask what is for dinner Let’s Practice:
“Mom,” he said, “ I want a guitar for Christmas.” Did you hear me ask, “What is for dinner”? Let’s Practice:
Elements of a Short Story • Setting • Characterization of Characters • Plot • Conflict • Climax • Resolution • Theme • Point of view
Whether you’re the reader, or the writer, a great story includes all these literary elements!!! foreshadowing protagonist conflict climax characters setting antagonist point of view
Short Story Great writers are able to use the elements of the short story with such precision that the reader is caught up in the action of the story. This is a mark of a good story and our goal as a writer.
Your assignment: • Write a unique, interesting, and original short story • Use all of the literary elements we have discussed • It needs to be two pages typed • It needs to have at least 20 lines of dialogue • *If you would like a story map graphic organizer to help you with your outline, I have them available for you
