The Short Story Definition: The short story is a narrative, artistically presenting characters in a struggle or complication which has

a definite outcome. Characteristics:

There is a standard plot structure. The story can be read in one setting. It has only one theme. It has only a few characters.

Parts of a Short Story 1. Plot Structure a. b. c. d. Initial action (introduction and background) Rising action (suspense) Climax (most exciting part) Denouement (unravelling)

2. Characters a. Protagonist - main character who tries to resolve the conflict. b. Antagonist - force in opposition of the protagonist. Can be a person or thing.

The author may reveal information about the character through physical appearance, what they say, think, feel, or do; what they dont do; how others react to the character and their opinions of them. 3. Conflict a. Conflict arises between the protagonist and antagonist forces. It forms the basis of the plot. b. Conflict is resolved when either the protagonist or antagonist wins or gives up. c. A Conflict can be external or internal. An external conflict happens outside of the self, and an internal conflict is a struggle with ones self (making a difficult decision, resisting an urge, etc) 4. Atmosphere a. Provides a feeling conveyed by the setting and scene. A state of mind. b. Examples: frightening, tense, suspenseful c. similar, but not to be confused with mood, which is the overall feeling. 5. Setting a. The time, place and circumstances during which the story takes place. Also includes weather conditions, social conditions, mood and atmosphere 6. Tone a. Provides the author's feelings about the subject of the story. b. Shown by writing style. 7. Point of View a. This refers to the person who tells the story. i. First Person is when the character tells the story. It is easily identified by the use of "I" and the fact that the narrator is involved in the story. BIASED. Second Person is a minor character telling the story. It also uses "I", but the character is telling the story about someone else. BIASED. Third Person Omniscient, is when the narrator is not involved in the story. He/she knows all (crystal ball). There is no use of "I", and there is rarely bias. Third Person Limited- is when the author tells the story in third person, but we only know what the character knows, or what they author allows him or her to tell us.

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8. Foreshadowing a. Author uses foreshadowing to hint about the outcome of the story. 9. Flashback a. The author starts in the present, but goes back to the past. At the end of the story, it comes back to the present. 10. Theme a. The controlling idea or the central thought of the story. It is the unifying generalization about life stated or implied by the story. 11. Irony a. A literary device based on contrast. i. ii. iii. Verbal irony - the speaker says one thing but means the opposite. Dramatic irony - the audience or reader is aware of something one or more of the characters is not aware of. Situational irony - the opposite happens to what the reader has been led to expect.

12. Suspense a. A state of curiosity, anxiety and/or anticipation. b. There are many ways to induce suspense. 13. Dialogue a. Conversation. b. Purposes: i. ii. iii. iv. 14. Symbol a. Something concrete standing for something abstract; eg. a flag representing patriotism. 15. Satire Helps to produce a mood or atmosphere. Provides information about the characters. Gives information about the situation. Gives past information.

a. Ridiculing or poking fun with the intention of bringing about change. *Although it is not a part of a story, the word Pseudonym is important. It means a pretended name the author takes on when he/she writes. eg. Mark Twain --> Samuel Clemens. Four Basic Types of Short Stories: 1. short story of character: In this type of short story the writer concentrates on presenting character. The characters speech and action dominate this story. 2. short story of plot: In this type of short story the reader is most interested in what is happening or what is going to happen. A character meets a test, resulting in a struggle. The emphasis in this type of story is upon complication. The plot is involved, novel, or surprising. 3. short story of setting: In this type of story, the readers interest centres in the surrounding or the place in which such as story occurs. This is true of the mystery and the ghost story. Another type in which the setting is important is the local color story in which a reader becomes interested in a story of a particular region. In the short story of setting, the setting dominates the story: it makes the plot possible; it determines the kind of characters; it dictates the actions and personalities of the characters. 4. short story of theme: This type of story illustrates strikingly an idea of a truth of human life. In the story of theme, the idea behind the story is more important than the characters, the setting, or the plot. These three elements are only the media through which the theme is developed. The theme is the authors general idea or subject. Emotions upon which themes have been based are pride, love, jealousy, hate, humility, terror, ambition, courage.