Introduction to Short Stories

1. Introduction to Short Stories Plot triangles, literary terms and reading strategies

2. What is a plot triangle? • A plot triangle shows the typical progression of events in a story. • There are five parts of a plot triangle: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. • Also known as Freytag’s Pyramid

3. Climax Freytag’s Pyramid (Plot Triangle) Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution

4. Exposition (introduction): The beginning of a story that introduces characters, setting and conflict. • Rising Action: Conflict is established and intensifies. • Climax: Highest point of action in story or turning point in the story. • Falling Action: Conflict is in process of being resolved; all action following climax • Resolution: Conflict is resolved and “loose ends” are tied up.

5. Assignment • Choose a fairy tale: “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Three Little Pigs” or “Hansel and Gretel.” • As a group, retell the story. • Create a plot triangle for your group’s fairy tale.

6. Literary Terms Definitions and Examples

7. Setting The time and place a story takes place Example: Monster takes place in a prison/courtroom in New York City around 2000.

8. Simile A comparison of two unlike objects using like or as. Example: The water hit me like a bull running a full speed.

9. Metaphor A direct comparison of two unlike objects. Example: The sun is a bright yellow beach ball floating in the sky.

10. Personification Giving a non-human object human characteristics. Example: The tree limbs waved hello to me from the distance.

11. Protagonist The main character of the story (not always the good guy) Example: The protagonist of Monster is Steve.

12. Antagonist The character who causes problems or opposes the main character (not always the bad guy) Example: The prosecutor, Petrocelli, is the antagonist in Monster.

13. Conflict A struggle or clash between opposing characters or opposing forces. Example: Two students arguing over who is right.

14. Internal Conflict External Conflict A struggle within the mind of a character. Person vs. himself Example: A character cannot decide whether to skip school or go to class. A struggle with an outside opposing force. Person vs. person, person vs. nature, person vs. society Two types of conflict .

15. Alliteration Repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close together in a passage or poem. Example: The beautiful baby boy waved bye-bye to his brother.

16. Onomatopoeia A word whose sound imitates its meaning. Examples: The bee buzzed my ear. The thud of the book landing on the carpet scared me.

17. Theme Central idea of a work or literature (moral of the story) Example: The theme of Monster was to be careful who you hang around because you will be judged by the company you keep.

18. Hyperbole A gross or extreme exaggeration of a truth to show strong emotion or for humor. Example: When my mom saw my report card, she was so mad I thought her head would explode.

19. Foreshadowing Hints and clues to events that will happen later in the story.

20. Pun A play on words using Two words that sound the same but have different meanings. A word with more than one meaning.