Short Story Unit

1. Short Story Unit Miller 2011-2012 English I

2. Genre • A category of literature • Example: short story, poetry, or drama

3. Short StoryDefinition • a fictional, prose, narrative of 12,000 words or less • Fictional: not true • Prose: written in sentences and paragraphs • Narrative: tells a story

4. Plot • The sequence of events (action) in a narrative • Plotline Model

5. Flashbacks and Foreshadowing • Flashback: A scene that interrupts the action of a story to tell about events that happened at an earlier time • Example: In the Lion King, during Simba’s fight with Scar, Simba is hanging over the edge of the cliff and the movie uses a flashback to revert to the scene where Mufasa was hanging in a similar way.

6. Flashbacks and Foreshadowing • Foreshadowing- Clues that hint at actions that are to follow in the story • Example: Horror movies – any time a blonde screams at the beginning, she’ll be dead before the end of movie

7. Figures of Speech • literary devices used by an author • simile- A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.” • Example: You eat like a pig. • metaphor- A comparison between two unlike things without using like or as. • Example: You’re such a pig.

8. Figures of Speech • imagery- language that appeals to the five senses-taste, touch, sight, smell, hearing • Example: mouth-watering chocolate; slick and glistening streets

9. Figures of Speech • irony- A contrast between what is stated and what is really meant, or between what is expected to happen and what actually happens • Example: Calling a 6’6’’ guy “shorty” / A guy gives up drinking, then he’s killed when a beer truck hits him.

10. Theme • the message or messages the author is trying to show the reader

11. Point of View • the position from which the story is told to the reader • First person- the narrator is a character in the story • Innocent eye- 1st person- when the narrator is a child in the story • Example: The Wonder Years; A Christmas Story; Malcolm in the Middle

12. Point of View • Third person- the narrator is outside the story • Omniscient- all knowing; the narrator is outside the story and tells the reader everything • Example: The beginning of Beauty and the Beast starts with a hand opening a book and stating, “Once upon a time…” • Limited Omniscient- narrator tells most of the story

13. Types of Conflict • Internal- a person is in conflict within himself (character vs. self) • Example: Simba’s inner struggle to get over his guilt and decide whether or not to face his past by returning to the pride.

14. Types of Conflict • External- conflict arises from the outside • character vs. character- conflict between two characters • Example: Simba versus Scar • character vs. nature- conflict between character and nature • Example: Survivor; The Amazing Race

15. Types of Conflict • character vs. society- conflict between character and society • Example: In Beauty and the Beast, the Beast struggles to fit into society despite his looks. • character vs. supernatural- conflict between ghosts, etc • Example: Aliens; Terminator

16. Character Types • static- Character’s personality does not change throughout the story • Example: Throughout the movie, Finding Nemo, Nemo remains courageous and adventurous.

17. Character Types • dynamic- Character undergoes a change in attitude or personality • Example: In Finding Nemo, Marlin (Nemo’s dad) changes as he learns to not let fear control his life.

18. Character Types • stereotype- the character represents an entire group of people • Example: The show/movie Clueless has the “ditzy blonde” stereotype.

19. Characterization • the way the author presents the character to the reader • direct-the author states in the text what the character is like • Example: Henry is not intelligent.

20. Characterization • indirect- the character states what he or she is feeling • Example: “Boy, Henry you’re not too smart.” • inferred- the reader has to arrive at the conclusion by interpreting the character’s actions • Example: Henry forgot to do his homework every day.

21. Aspects of A Character • physical- characteristics such as height, weight, hair, and eye color • Example: Belle from Beauty and the Beast has brown hair, thin, dainty-like • psychological-what is going on in the character’s mind and how he thinks, acts, and behaves • Example: Belle is smart, kind, compassionate, open-minded

22. Aspects of A Character • sociological- where a character actually fits into society • Example: Beast from Beauty and the Beast is ostracized/shunned by society because of his looks

23. Aspects of A Character • PROTAGONIST- Central character in a work of literature (not necessarily a hero or “good guy”) • Example: Simba • ANTAGONIST- Character who opposes the protagonist • Example: Scar

24. Levels of Understanding • literal level- what the story is about- the plot line/surface level • interpretative level- the author’s message(s) and understanding • applied level- how do those messages apply to your own personal life and to our society

25. Tone and Atmosphere • Tone- the author’s attitude toward his subject • Atmosphere- mood • Example: scary, happy, sad, etc.

26. World Views • How the author feels toward life and existence • Romantic- positive; good, capable of change, happy endings, etc (Disney)

27. World Views • Realistic- no emotions, facts only, no “good” or “bad” (Newspaper) • Naturalistic- negative, people are not good; man is trapped in a mechanized society and can’t help himself

28. Epiphany • a sudden understanding of something you didn’t understand before (AHA! Moment)