Short Story Unit Introduction Notes

1. Short Story Unit Introduction Notes

2. I. What is a Short Story? • Prose fiction (ordinary language) • 7,000 – 10,000 words • Can be read in one sitting

3. II. Why is the short story important? • It is a distinct art form, a genre. • Every word counts. The author carefully selects every word and action. • It is a form of literature cultivated by American writers. • It is ideal for high school study because it is short.

4. III. Characteristics of the short story • Can be read in one sitting • Relates to the author in some way • Relates to real life • Leaves the reader with a main idea • Has no more than 6 characters • Every detail is important

5. IV. Background Information • Originated in the United States • Established in the mid-19th century (1850’s) • Edgar Allen Poe is considered the Father of the Short Story

6. V. Differences between • Novel • Complex plot • Many emotions • Covers many years • Many characters • Short Story • Simple plot • Single emotion • Covers short time span • Few characters

7. VI. Purpose of the title • Sets the mood (“The Most Dangerous Game”) • Arouses interest • Suggests the setting • Names the main character • Names an important object (“The Necklace”) • Suggests the type of story (use of words such as mystery or adventure)

8. What are the elements of the short story? • Setting (shown in the exposition) • Characterization • Plot • Conflict • Theme • Point of View

9. VIII. Setting • When and Where the story takes place • Establishes the atmosphere of the story • What are the requirements of Setting? • Time • Place • General environment • Mood and Tone

10. Characterization – Methods used by the author to let the reader get to know the characters. • Direct method of characterization – the author directly tells the reader something about the character (She is kind.) • Indirect Method of characterization – the reader draws a conclusion about the character based on

11. Character’s name • Character’s appearance (how he/she looks, clothes worn, etc.) • What the character says • What the character thinks and feels • What the character does • What other people think of the character • How animals react to the character (animal growls)

12. Usual characteristics of characters in the short story • Must have believable traits • Stereotypical or stock characters are classified by certain characteristics which everyone in a certain group has or is assumed to have

13. Types of Characters • Protagonist – the main character who is trying to achieve a goal • Antagonist – the character who antagonizes, who causes problems in the story; the antagonist may be an obstacle rather than a person at times

14. Flat Character – character with only one trait, one-sided, no depth • Round Character – a complex character, many-sided, realistic, more traits are given or observed in this type of character

15. Static character – does not change during the story (in personality, maturity, beliefs, etc.) • Dynamic character – changes, usually for the better, due to events in the story

16. Foil – This character serves as a contrast for another character, often the characteristics of the “foils” appear exaggerated because of the stark contrast. (Tybalt and Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet) • Stereo Types – athlete, bully, lawyer, etc…

17. X. Plot – The plan of action for the story, the sequence of events • Exposition – the beginning situation, introduces setting and characters • Author may choose to jump right into the story.

18. The beginning situation may set the mood with description. • The story may begin with an emotional statement. • The story may begin with dialogue.

19. Rising Action – complications, problems, conflicts in the story beginning • Internal Conflict – Man vs. Himself (conscience)

20. 2. External Conflict • Man vs. Man • Man vs. Nature • Man vs. Society • Man vs. Fate

21. Turning Point – the fate of the main character is sealed; events of the plot begin to move toward an ending; the point when the story changes direction. • Climax – the highest emotional tension in the story; the outcome of the story is clear at this point • Falling Action – bringing the story to a close

22. Denouement (resolution) – conclusion of the story, working out of the final details. Turning Point/Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Denouement(Resolution)

23. PLOT The plan of action for the story, the sequence of events consisting of… Turning Point / Climax Rising Action Falling Action PLOT STRUCTURE Inciting Incident Exposition Resolution

24. XI. Theme – The main idea of the story; the idea the author wants to put across to the reader • Theme may be the author’s commentary on life.

25. B. The theme must be • Specific • Universal, applies to anyone (Romeo and Juliet – theme of love and devotion) • Important to the story • Provide unity to the story • Presents the reader with a new awareness of life

26. XII. Point of View – Who is telling the story, from whose perspective • First Person – story is told by a character in the story – uses “I”, narrator knows only his own thoughts and feelings and what he sees.

27. B. First Person Detached – story is told by a narrator who is reflecting on something that happened in the past; narrator has had time to reflect back on the event

28. C. Third Person Objective – told as a reporter, “eye of the camera” point of view, narrator only reports on what he sees, no thoughts or feelings of characters revealed

29. Third Person Omniscient – “God-like” narrator – knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters and sees all that happens.

30. E. Third Person Limited Omniscient – “God-like” narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character, usually the main character.

31. XIII. Additional Important Terms • Tone – the author’s attitude about the story

32. B. Mood – the feeling the reader gets from the reading C. Foreshadowing – the author hints at events to come later in the story

33. D. Flashback – the author takes time to tell events that occurred in the past E. Symbolism – a concrete object stands for an abstract idea (something represents something other than itself. EX: the U.S. Flag)

34. Allegory – the entire piece of literature has a deeper symbolic meaning (story can be read on more than one level) • Style – the way the author uses language in his story

35. Diction – vocabulary, word choice, narration, dialogue, or dialect. • Types of sentences – length, type (simple, complex, etc.), punctuation • Use of figurative language • Use of literary devices

36. What is figurative language? • Poetic language • Simile – comparison using “like” or “as” • Metaphor – a direct comparison saying one thing is another • Personification – giving an inanimate (non-living) object human qualities

37. Sound Devices • Onomatopoeia – the pronunciation of the word sounds like the sound the word makes (ex. Buzz, click, pop) • Alliteration – the same sound starts a series of words or syllables

38. What are literary devices? • Flashback and foreshadowing • Symbolism and allegory • Inference and indirect description – reader must draw conclusions based on clues given by the author • Satire – a literary work that mocks (makes fun of) the stupidity or vices of individuals, groups, or society in general

39. 5. Irony – a contrast, contradiction a. Verbal irony – what is said is opposite to what one would expect or what is said is the opposite to what is intended

40. b. Situational irony – what happens is the opposite to what one would expect or when one does not get what he deserves, or when one acts differently from what is expected. c. Dramatic irony – the reader knows things the characters do not.

41. Extra Information Add these definitions Connotation – the positive or negative association you make with a word Epiphany-a character undergoes a transformation once he comes to a certain realization about himself or life