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Identifying the Elements of A Short Story. Student Notes. Plot Diagram. 3. 4. 2. 1. 5. Plot (definition). Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another. 1. Exposition.
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Identifying the Elements of A Short Story Student Notes
Plot Diagram 3 4 2 1 5
Plot (definition) • Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.
1. Exposition • This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).
2. Rising Action • This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.
3. Climax • This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.
4. Falling Action • All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.
5. Resolution • The story comes to a reasonable ending.
Putting It All Together 1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Resolution Beginning of Story Middle of Story End of Story
Characters Confidante- someone in whom the central character confides, thus revealing the main character’s personality, thoughts, and intentions. The confidante does not need to be a person.Dynamic Character - a character which changes during the course of a story or novel. The change in outlook or character is permanent. Flat Character - a character who reveals only one, maybe two, personality traits in a story or novel, and the trait(s) do not change.Foil - a character that is used to enhance another character through contrast
Characters Continued Round Character - a well developed character who demonstrates varied and sometimes contradictory traits. Round characters are usually dynamic (change in some way over the course of a story). Static Character – a character that remains primarily the same throughout a story or novel. Events in the story do not alter a static character’s outlook, personality, motivation, perception, habits, etc.Stock Character - a special kind of flat character who is instantly recognizable to most readers. Possible examples include the “ruthless businessman”, “shushing old librarian” or “dumb jock.” They are not the focus nor developed in the story.
Conflict in Literature • Person vs Person • Person vs Nature • Person vs Himself (internal conflict) • Person vs Technology • Person vs Time • Person vs Fate • Person vs Society • Person vs Supernatural
Point of View • 1st Person - the narrator is the “I” of the story • 3rd Person - the author tells the story with the focus on one (selective) character
“Other” • Simile: a comparison of two things which in their general nature are different from each other. The simile contains like or as. Example: That child is like a beautiful flower • Metaphor: an amplified comparison which does not have like or as Instead of making the comparison , as in the simile, the likeness is given in the form of a statement. Example: The child is a beautiful flower. • Personification: In this figure of speech, some human characteristic is attributed to an inanimate object or animal. Example: Death whispered in his ear. • Foreshadowing: the dropping of important hints by the author to prepare the reader for what is to come and to help him to anticipate the outcome. • Flash back: a device by which a writer interrupts the main action of a story to recreate a situation or incident of an earlier time as though it were occurring in the present. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8862988/Conflicts-In-Literature