Elements of short Stories / 8th grade
A) The setting will create
Tone: the attitude the AUTHOR or speaker has toward the event or material. Mood: the overall atmosphere—general feeling the author creates from the events in the story.
B) TYPES OF CHARACTERS
Flat Round Protagonist Antagonist Static Dynamic Stock
MAN VS. MAN
AN EXTERNAL conflict between two or more characters
Literature Devices used by the author to develop Theme
Foreshadowing Flashback Tone Irony Symbolism Motif Allusion
F) RESOLUTION
(denouement)--- The final stage of the plot. This is the final OUTCOME of the conflict. It is the resolution of the PROBLEM OR CONFLICT that the main character faced. The resolution should reinforce or EXPRESS the general THEME of the entire story.
A) Exposition
.THE BEGINNING STAGE: The reader is 1) Given the SETTING of the story 2) Introduced to the principle CHARACTERS and told the RELATIONSHIP 3)Given information about THE EVENTS that occurred or EXISTED before the story begins. 4) Given some basic information about the CONFLICT or struggle BETWEEN two opposing forces.
C) CHARACTER ANALYSIS
1) Behavior /Motivation: HOW does the character act? What CAUSES the character to ACT or respond the way he/she does. Answers the questions. 2) Responsibility: The MORAL, LEGAL,and MENTAL accountability of the character. 3) Consequences- The RESULTS of the character's ACTIONS . 4) Expectations-what you ANTICIPATE or expect from and for a character..
A) Types of point of view
1) The First person- The narrator or main character is telling his/her STORY. Uses the pronoun "I" 2) Third person Limited- The author is OUTSIDE the story, and can only record what an observer in the situation might see. The author does not tell what is going in the MINDS of the characters. Uses "HE" or SHE" 3) Third person Omniscient- The author is OUTSIDE the story and has the power to go into the MINDS of the characters and know what ALL the characters are FEELING and thinking at the same point in the story. Uses the pronouns "HE" and "SHE"
To identify the plot, ask yourself these questions:
1) What happen in the beginning of the story? 2) What happens in the middle of the story? 3) What happens at the end of the story?
To find the Theme, ask yourself these questions:
1) What is the story about 2) What is the theme or central idea 3) What observation did the author make about human nature
B) IDENTIFYING POINT OF VIEW
1) When the narrator is a character in the story, ask Does the main character tell his/her own story? 1st person POV. 2. When the narrator is NOT a character in the story, ask Does the author tell what people think and explain feelings and motives? 3rd person omniscient POV 3) When the narrator is not in the story, ask Does the author simply tell the story without giving the thought of the characters? 3rd person limited POV
A) FOUR TYPES OF CHARACTERIZATION
1.) PHYSICAL descriptions and features 2.) What the characters SAY and DO 3.) How the character dresses and speaks (diction) 4.) How characters interact with each other: what other characters SAY about or TO THE character.
What is a short Story
A short story is a relatively brief fictional narrative or story written without the use of rhymes or rhythm. The story will have a beginning, middle, and ending. Short stories are composed of the following elements: THEME, PLOT, CHARACTER, SETTING, and POINT of VIEW.
Man vs. Nature
AN EXTERNAL struggle between man and an element of nature
Man vs. Self
AN INTERNAL struggle concerning decisions or emotions of a character
Man vs. Technology
An external struggle between humanity and the Technology that has been developed by man.
secondary
Characters that interact with and aid the protagonist or antagonist. These are developed, but not as defined as the primary characters Their job is to help us learn more about the primary characters through their interactions.
Dynamic
Characters who CHANGE during the story or because of its outcome
Round
Characters who are WELL-DEVELOPED and have a variety of traits and emotions
Flat
Characters who have only one or a few TRAITS and are not well DEVELOPED
Main types of conflicts included :
MAN VS. MAN MAN VS. SELF MAN VS. NATURE MAN VS. SOCIETY MAN VS. FATE MAN VS. TECHNOLOGY
B) Techniques used to create the setting
Sensory imagery: details that emphasize the five senses: SIGHT, SOUND , TASTE, SMELL and TOUCH. They are used to help the reader feel what the character is feeling. Figurative language: Literary devices to create deeper understanding a) Simile a comparison between two objects using "LIKE" or AS" b) Metaphor- a comparison between two objects by NAMING or calling one of the object the other. c) Personification-giving HUMAN characterization , such as physical features or EMOTIONS, to something that is not human. d) Hyperbole- an EXAGERATION of ideas or IMAGES for the sake of EMPHASIS.
Protagonist
The PRIMARY (main) character---can be good OR bad.
CHARACTER
The action of the story and story climax are centered around the PRIMARY (main) character who usually dominates the story. Characterization includes the techniques used by the author to DEVELOP the characters. Characters must be BELIEVABLE and relatable. Therefore, they are given human TRAITS or qualities that the reader understands.
Theme
The central idea that the author wishes to set forth in his/her writing. Consider in the take-away message
Antagonist
The character or characters OPPOSING the protagonist.
B) INCITING INCIDENT
The event or situation that causes or sets the conflict into motion. It marks the beginning of the RISING ACTION and relates directly to the MAIN CHARACTER as the issue to overcome.
SETTING
The stage upon which the STORY takes place. Just as the background is to a painting, the SETTING establishes time, place and environment for the story.
Stock
The stereotypical characters who ACT and often look as expected.
d) CLIMAX
This is known as the TURNING POINT or point of greatest PERIL or EMOTION. Turning point- A moment or decision made by the MAIN CHARACTER from which he/she will be able to return to the way things were. The character's life will forever be changed. Point of greatest peril or emotion- Is When the MAIN CHARACTER is at greatest danger or highest emotion from which he/she may not SURVIVE. The climax addresses the MAIN conflict and includes the MAIN character in the story
DICTION
Words chosen by author to convey effect and meaning to the reader High Diction-elevated tone, no slang, idioms, or contractions. Elegant word choice (Think royalty or official voice). Neutral Diction- standard language without elaborate words, may have contractions. (language used with most people who are NOT your closest friends or family). Low or Informal Diction-language of everyday use, relaxed, includes idioms, slang, jargon, and contractions (Used with family and close friends)
Irony
a contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality; between what is said and what is meant, between what is expected and what really happens, between what appears to be true
Motif
a recurring subject, theme, idea, or symbol, especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work. Motif examples include but are not limited to seasons, water, food, wisdom, forests, oceans, journeys, reunions, shapes
c) RISING ACTION
all the events in the story from the inciting incident to the climax. IT focuses on the MAIN conflict, but may include several minor conflicts known as COMPLICATIONS. Complications contribute to the conflict and grow in intensity to maintain reader interest. Complications relate to the main conflict but MAY be resolved throughout the rising action, thus leading to another COMPLICATION.
Man vs. Fate
an external struggle between man and his destiny
Man vs. Society
an external struggle between man and the rules and expectations set by society
Flashback
an interruption or break in the current story time line, going back in the past to add scenes and events which helps the reader understand what is happening in the present and why.
Allusion
brief reference to a historical figure, a famous work of art or piece of literature, a world renowned event or object. The effectiveness of the allusion depends on the common knowledge shared by the author and reader. The more well known the reference, the more meaningful the allusion is. Biblical references are the most common, followed by mythological ones. EX: His Herculean form towered over me.
Static
character who do not Change in the story
PARTS OF THE PLOT
exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
Foreshadowing
giving the reader hints about what is about to happen.
POINT OF VIEW
the author's choice of the "teller' of the story. The PERSPECTIVE from which the story is told.
E) FALLING ACTION
the events IMMEDIATLY following the climax. These lead to the RESOLUTION.
Tone
the feeling or attitude conveyed by the author or speaker about the subject or topic in the story.
Plot
the plot is a series of related events that the author uses to CONVEY the theme of a STORY. (Series of events)
Symbolism
the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.