Short Story Elements9th Grade Literature

Coach Hunt & Ms. Roberts

Directions (Don’t Copy This)

As we go through these slides over the next few weeks, we’re going to practice practical note-taking. When you’re copying notes in your classes, you don’t have to write down every word – in fact it’s a huge waste of time and energy. For this PowerPoint, listen and read all the slides, but only copy what is underlined!

SettingDefinition – The time and location in which a

story takes place is called the setting.

Aspects of Setting to ConsiderPlace – geographic location. Where is the action of

the story taking place?Time – When is the story taking place (historical

period, time of day, year, etc.)Weather conditions – Is it rainy, sunny, stormy,

etc?

Setting (Cont.)Social Conditions – What is the daily

life of the character’s like? Does the story contain local color (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)?

Mood or Atmosphere – What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

PlotDefinition – The plot is how the author

arranges events to develop his basic idea; it is the sequence of events in the story or play. The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle and end. Short stories usually have one plot and can be read in one sitting.

There are 5 essential parts of plot

Plot Diagram

Resolution

Elements of PlotExposition – The beginning of the story where the

characters and setting are revealed

Rising Action – This is where the events of the story become complicated and the conflict of the story is revealed (events between introduction and climax)

Climax – This is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the story. The reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not?

Elements of Plot (cont.)Falling Action – The events and complications

begin to resolve themselves (events between the climax and resolution)

Resolution – This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story (also called Denouement)

Conflict Without conflict there is no plot. It is the

opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot move. Conflict is any form of opposition that faces the main character. Within a short story there may be only one central struggle, or there may be one dominant struggle with many minor ones.

2 Types of ConflictExternal – A struggle with a force outside of

one’s self

Internal – A struggle within one’s self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.

4 Kinds of Conflict

Man vs. Man – The leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men, forces of nature or animals.

Man vs. Circumstances – The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him/her.

Man vs. Society – The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people.

Man vs. Self – The leading character struggles with himself; with his own soul, ideas of right and wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.

CharacterProtagonist – Clearly central to the story with

all major events having some importance to this character.

Antagonist – The person or force that opposes the main character.

CharacterizationYou can “characterize” someone

by…

Their physical appearance

What they say, think, feel or dream

What the do or do not do

What others say about them and how others react to them

Types of Characterization

Static/Flat – Character has one or two of his characteristics/qualities that never change and are emphasized

Dynamic/Round – Many sided and complex personalities

Point of View

First Person – The story is told by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely with the protagonist (using the pronouns I, me, we, etc.). The reader sees the story through this person’s eyes as they experience, and only knows what the character knows, sees, or feels

Third Person – The story is told by a narrator outside of the story and uses the pronouns he, she, they, etc. There are several different ways for authors to use 3rd person point of view. You will learn more about those next year.

Irony

Irony – expressing something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning

3 Types of IronySituational – When the opposite of what you

expect happens Ex. The fire station burning down

Dramatic – When the audience or reader knows more than the characters

Verbal – Sarcasm. Saying one thing, but meaning the opposite

ThemeThe theme in a piece of fiction is its controlling

idea or its central insight. It is the authors underlying meaning and main idea that is trying to convey. The theme may be the author’s thoughts about a topic or view of human nature.

The lesson or moral of the story.

Examples of ThemeThings are not always as they appear

Love is blind

Be careful what you wish for

People are afraid of change

Don’t judge a book by its cover

Symbolism A symbol is a person, a place, an activity or an

object that stands for something beyond itself.