Elements of the Short Story

Elements of the Short Story English I

There are six main elements. • Setting • Plot • Conflict • Character • Point-of-view • Theme

Setting is… The definition of setting is: In “A Sound of Thunder”… • The time and place in which a story takes place. 60 million B.C. (time) rainforest (place)

Aspects of a story’s setting: Place Time Weather/season Mood/atmosphere Social conditions—what daily life is like

Plot is… The definition of plot is… In “Harrison Bergeron”… • The action • What happens • The sequence of events Harrison escapes. He removes his handicaps. He selects his “empress.” He is shot and killed by Diana Moon Glampers.

Plot’s five essential parts Exposition Rising action Climax Falling action Resolution (denouement)

Exposition The exposition is the beginning of the story where characters and setting are revealed.

Rising Action The rising action reveals the events, complications, and conflict that will drive the story along.

Climax The climax is the highest point of interest. It can also be considered the turning point.

Falling Action The falling action includes the events, complications, and conflict that are beginning to be resolved.

Resolution The resolution is also known as denouement. (day-noo-mon) The resolution is the final outcome.

Conflict is… The definition of conflict is: In “A Sound of Thunder”… • The struggle between forces. • Conflict is essential to plot. • man vs. nature • man vs. man

External and Internal Conflict External Conflict Internal Conflict • External conflict is a struggle with a force outside of oneself. • man v. man • man v. society • man v. nature • man v. circumstances • Internal conflict is a struggle within oneself. • Making a decision • Overcoming pain • Quieting a temper • Resisting an urge • man v. self

Point-of-View Point-of-view (POV) is the angle from which the story is told.

Types of POV First person POV For example… • The narrator is a main character. • The narrator uses these pronouns: I, me, mine. • “Harrison Bergeron” is told from the first person point-of-view.

Types of POV Third person limited POV Third person omniscient POV • The narrator is NOT in the story. • The narrator uses these pronouns: he, she, they. • The narrator has limited knowledge of the characters’ thoughts. • The narrator is NOT in the story. • The narrator uses these pronouns: he, she, they. • The narrator has complete knowledge of characters’ thoughts.

Characters are… The definition of character is: In “A Sound of Thunder”… • A character is a work of fiction. • Character can also mean the characteristics of a person. Travis, Eckels, Lesperance

Protagonists and Antagonists A protagonist is: An antagonist is: • The central character • Who is the protagonist in “Harrison Bergeron”? How about Harry Potter? • The opposer of the main character • Who is the antagonist in “Harrison Bergeron”? How about Harry Potter?

Elements of characterization What they look like What they say, think, feel, dream What they do What others say and do in reaction to them

Static and Dynamic Characters A static character: A dynamic character: • A static character is a character that stays the same throughout the story. • A dynamic character changes in some fashion in the story or by the end of the story.

Theme is… The definition of theme is: The theme is NOT: • The theme is the underlying meaning, message, or moral of the story. • Themes are often universal. • The theme is NOT the plot (the what-happens) of the story.

Common Themes… Friendship/Love/Trust/What happens when you’re bad/evil/good/greedy—remember, it’s a lesson that the character (and the reader) learns. Love is blind. Be careful what you wish for. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Things aren’t always as they seem.

Symbolism is… Symbolism is the use of symbols in a story. A symbol is usually a tangible (touch-able) item that stands for something that is intangible (not touch-able).

Symbols can also be… Symbols can also be colors.

Elements of the Short Story