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    Short Story Elements

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    acheron_p
    The document outlines the key elements of a short story: plot, setting, characters, and theme. It defines each element and provides examples. Plot involves the main events like the introduction, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Setting establishes the time and location. Characters include the protagonist and antagonist. Theme conveys a universal idea or message about life.

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    Short Story Elements

    Uploaded by

    acheron_p
    117 views34 pages
    The document outlines the key elements of a short story: plot, setting, characters, and theme. It defines each element and provides examples. Plot involves the main events like the introduction, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Setting establishes the time and location. Characters include the protagonist and antagonist. Theme conveys a universal idea or message about life.

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    Short Story Elements

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    The document outlines the key elements of a short story: plot, setting, characters, and theme. It defines each element and provides examples. Plot involves the main events like the introduction, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Setting establishes the time and location. Characters include the protagonist and antagonist. Theme conveys a universal idea or message about life.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    117 views34 pages

    Short Story Elements

    Uploaded by

    acheron_p
    The document outlines the key elements of a short story: plot, setting, characters, and theme. It defines each element and provides examples. Plot involves the main events like the introduction, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Setting establishes the time and location. Characters include the protagonist and antagonist. Theme conveys a universal idea or message about life.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    of 34

    Short Story Elements

    What is a short story?

    A brief, imaginative narrative containing few characters, simple plot, conflict, and suspense which leads to a climax and a swift conclusion. Can be read in one sitting

    THE 4 ELEMENTS OF THE SHORT STORY

    PLOT SETTING CHARACTER THEME

    #1. PLOT
    The chain of events in a story. Consists of 6 main ingredients: 1. Introduction/Exposition 2. Inciting incident 3. Rising action 4. Climax 5. Falling Action 6. Resolution

    PLOT GRAPH
    An excellent way to map out a storys plot

    Introduction
    Introduces the reader to: Setting Basic situation Characters involved Narrative Hook: question or statement that grabs the readers attention

    Inciting Incident

    The first major action in the story that sets the story in motion (gets the ball rolling).

    Rising Action
    Incidents which carry the plot along. It often includes the following: Foreshadowing Flashback Conflict Suspense

    FORESHADOWING

    A technique for hinting at events that may occur later in the plot.

    FLASHBACK

    The insertion of an earlier event into the time order of a narrative.

    Conflict

    It is what prevents the main character from getting what he or she wants The plot is driven by climax and it is THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE STORY There are two types of conflicts: Internal and External

    Internal Conflict PERSON VS. SELF

    External Conflict PERSON VS. PERSON

    External Conflict PERSON VS. SOCIETY

    External Conflict PERSON VS.THE ENVIRONMENT

    External Conflict PERSON VS. FATE

    External Conflict PERSON VS. TECHNOLOGY

    External Conflict
    PERSON VS. THE SUPERNATURAL

    SUSPENSE

    The feeling of excitement and curiosity that keeps the reader turning the pages; created by making the readers wonder how the conflict will be resolved

    CLIMAX

    The highest point of interest in the story when the character(s) solves his/her struggles Usually the point of highest emotion The climax can be SUBJECTIVE (there may be different answers, so you must prove your choice)

    FALLING ACTION

    The character completes the action of his/her decision

    THE RESOLUTION

    The final workings of a storys conflict All of the loose ends are tied up (usually)

    Narrative Twist: a surprise ending

    #2. SETTING

    The time (time of day, season, present, past, future) and the location (country, planet, town, buildings, PLUS a description of the surroundings) where the action occurs Helps to create the mood and atmosphere of the text

    ATMOSPHERE

    The feeling that the setting evokes (i.e. mysterious, happy, eerie)

    MOOD

    The authors emotional attitude toward the subject matter (i.e. excitement, nostalgia) NOT the mood of the characters

    #3. CHARACTERs

    Any personalities who are involved in the plot of the story (people, animals, fantasy characters) Usually less than 6 in a short story

    PROTAGONIST

    Usually the good guy or hero in the story The main character that we follow The character that strives to solve the conflict

    ANTAGONIST

    The bad guy or villain in the story Usually creates conflict for the main character

    SECONDARY CHARACTERS

    Other characters who are necessary to moving the plot along, but may not be involved with the central conflict

    CHARACTER TRAITS
    Physical and personality characteristics that are revealed through: 1. What the character does 2. What the character says 3. What other characters say or do about the character 4. What the author states directly 5. What the author infers

    #4. THEME
    The central idea about life that the story highlights; THE MAIN IDEA (universal truths). The message the author is conveying. 1. Determine the specific conflict 2. Decide what side of the conflict the story represents 3. How is the conflict resolved? Who wins? Who loses?

    THEME

    Theme is NOT the moral of the story Theme is NOT plot Theme IS the general subject matter of a work of art Theme may contain a message

    THEME

    Not all short stories have a theme; some are just for entertainment or fun

    THEME OR NOT A THEME?


    1) Red Riding Hood is about how you shouldnt trust strangers 2) Stars Wars is a movie about Luke Skywalker 3) Apocalypse Now is about the insanity of war. 4) This painting is about loneliness 5) That story is about two guys who steal a car 6) Romeo and Juliet is about love 7) Romeo and Juliet is about two families fighting 8) I saw a movie last night about survival 9) Hansel and Gretel is about two children 10) Cinderella is about poetic justice

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