University:
Bradley University
Course:
ENG 300 | Advanced Writing--Exposition
Academic year:

2024
Views:

267

Pages:

28
Author:

Angelica Rose

Elements of a Short Story Short Story Elements • Setting • Characters • Conflict • Plot • Theme What is a short story?? • A brief work of fiction • Takes a reader on a quick, focused journey • No two stories are identical (the same), but they all share some common elements SETTING • The time and place of action in a story • The setting can create a mood, or atmosphere of the story • Setting can include: 1. historical period 2. physical location 3. season of year and time of day 4. climate and weather 5. culture and social systems or traditions Examples of Setting • Historical Period – colonial period, Civil Rights Movement, WWII Era • Physical Location – school, Hazleton, Mars, supermarket, Japan • Season/Time of day – winter, spring, summer, autumn, afternoon, morning, 3:00 PM, lunchtime, at night • Climate/Weather – tropical, desert, cloudy/rainy day, warm/hot • Culture/Social Systems or Traditions – Native American, Asian culture, holiday traditions Characters • The people or animals in a story Protagonist • The main character in a literary work • Often a person, but sometimes it can be an animal Antagonist • A character or force in conflict with a main character (protagonist). Two Types of Characterization • Direct Characterization – when an author describes a character • Indirect Characterization – when the author reveals a character through speech and actions Direct Characterization Some words that authors use to describe characters directly are: • bossy helpful scared • brave honest happy • careful kind neat • friendly proud mean • hard-working shy nice • funny wise angry Examples: Steven was scared to go to middle school. Luz is a proud and hard-working student. Indirect Characterization • Example: Ben helped his mother in the store. He put boxes on the shelf. He didn’t drop any boxes. Mr. Kirk left some money at the store. Ben followed him outside to give him the money. What words would you use to tell about Ben? Indirect Characterization • Example: Tippy had a bone. A bigger dog wanted it. Tippy was afraid. She stood over her bone and barked. The big dog ran away. Tippy was glad she hadn’t lost her bone. What words would you use to tell about Tippy? Characterization Example: Amy kept her library books together on a shelf. She put away all her toys carefully. Amy was very… upset Answer: neat neat mean Characterization Example: Joe’s friend Tom laughed a lot. He always had a smile on his face. Tom was a ___________ person. surprised Answer: happy naughty happy Characterization Example: Lisa’s little brother hid her skates under the bed. He hid her favorite book. He was being ________________. calm Answer: naughty naughty nice Characterization Example: David read all the books about the forest that he could find. He also talked with the forest rangers to learn more. David was ____________________. gentle Answer: curious curious scared Conflict • The central problem or struggle that the characters face Two Types of Conflict • External Conflict – is a struggle between a character and an outside force Person versus Person (two character struggle with one another) Person versus Nature (floods, fires, storms, etc.) Person versus Society (government, religion) Person versus Technology (enemy with machines) Person versus Animal (can be mythical like dragons, evil beasts or ordinary animals) Two Types of Conflict • Internal Conflict – takes place within a character’s mind Person versus Self Examples: 1. The character struggles with his/her own fears…. 2. The character faces a difficult decision….. Plot The sequence of events in a story Plot consists of the following: 1. Exposition – introduces the situation 2. Rising Action – introduces the conflict 3. Climax – is the turning point 4. Falling Action – is when the conflict eases 5. Resolution – is the conclusion Plot Diagram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpfbSJjOQxc Theme A central or main idea, message or insight Stated themes – are expressed directly Implied themes – are suggested by the author Universal themes – recur in different cultures and time periods Point of View • The perspective from which a short story is told, or narrated Point of View • First-person - the narrator is a character in the story - Readers only learn what that character knows, thinks, or feels - will see the use of first person pronouns such as: I, me, we Point of View • Third-person - The narrator is not a character, but a voice outside the story Third-Person Omniscient – the narrator is able to relate the inner thoughts and feeling of ALL the character Third-Person Limited – the narrator reveals the thoughts and feelings of only one character Irony • Is a contradiction between what happens and what is expected Examples: - A traffic cop gets his license suspended for unpaid parking tickets - Two people want a divorce, but during the proceedings they discover they still love each other and get back together. 3 Types of Irony 1. Situational Irony – occurs when something happens that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters of the audience 2. Verbal Irony – is when a person says something the opposite of what they mean (often being sarcastic) 3. Dramatic Irony – the audience is aware of something that the character or speaker is not Tone • The writer’s attitude toward his or her audience and subject. • The tone can often be described by a single adjective, such as formal or informal, serious or playful, bitter or ironic. • Factors that contribute to the tone are word choice, sentence structure, line length, rhyme, rhythm, and repetition.

Elements of a Short Story

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