This document defines and explains the basic elements of a short story, including character, setting, plot, conflict, theme, and point of view. It notes that a short story is shorter than a novel, focuses on a single effect conveyed through a few episodes, and aims for unity of mood over complex plots. Examples of classic short stories are provided, and each element is then defined and described in more detail, such as how characters embody the heart of the story and the importance of conflict in driving the narrative forward.
This document defines and explains the basic elements of a short story, including character, setting, plot, conflict, theme, and point of view. It notes that a short story is shorter than a novel, focuses on a single effect conveyed through a few episodes, and aims for unity of mood over complex plots. Examples of classic short stories are provided, and each element is then defined and described in more detail, such as how characters embody the heart of the story and the importance of conflict in driving the narrative forward.
This document defines and explains the basic elements of a short story, including character, setting, plot, conflict, theme, and point of view. It notes that a short story is shorter than a novel, focuses on a single effect conveyed through a few episodes, and aims for unity of mood over complex plots. Examples of classic short stories are provided, and each element is then defined and described in more detail, such as how characters embody the heart of the story and the importance of conflict in driving the narrative forward.
• an invented prose narrative shorter than a novel usually dealing with a few characters and aiming at unity of effect and often concentrating on the creation of mood rather than plot. • brief fictional prose narrative that is shorter than a novel and that usually deals with only a few characters. The short story is usually concerned with a single effect conveyed in only one or a few significant episodes or scenes. The form encourages economy of setting, concise narrative, and the omission of a complex plot; character is disclosed in action and dramatic encounter but is seldom fully developed. Despite its relatively limited scope, though, a short story is often judged by its ability to provide a “complete” or satisfying treatment of its characters and subject. EXAMPLES:
• The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan
Poe. ... • The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. ... • The Gift of the Magi by O. ... • The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant. ... • The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. ... • Additional Adult Short Stories. ... • Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Robert Southey. BASIC ELEMENTS OF A SHORT STORY: • Character • Setting • Plot • Conflict • Theme • Point of View Character • A character in a short story is a person, in some stories an animal, who takes part in the action of the story or other literary work. The way an author develops the character in a story is very important in making the story appeal to the readers. It is said that the heart of the story are the characters. The two most important characters in a short story are the protagonist and the antagonist. • a. The protagonist is considered as the main character or most important of all the characters. It is the character who learns something or undergoes some changes throughout the course of the story. Some stories depict the protagonist as the hero of the story, while in other stories the protagonist is not considered a hero as he has done nothing heroic. In any case, the story always revolves around the protagonist. • b. The antagonist is the character that challenges the main character. It has no concern for the well-being of the main character. The antagonist may be a person, the nature, the society, or any intangible matter that contends with or creates a problem for the protagonist. Setting • The place (locale) and time (period )when the story happens is called the setting. The setting may be based on real place and real time or it may also be based on the author’s imagination. When analyzing the setting of the story, consider where the action is taking place. Most authors use descriptive words to describe the landscape, scenery, buildings, season, or weather to provide a strong sense of setting which will help the reader visualize the story and connect to the story’s plot. Plot • Plot– A plot is the actual story. It is what the story is all about. It is also the series of events and characters’ actions that lead to the highest point of interest in a short story. Elements of Plot • a. Exposition –This is the beginning of the story. This is where the author introduces the characters, identifies where the story is happening, and establishes the main conflict. • b. Rising Action–This event occurs as you begin to move throughout the story. This is where conflicts start to build. • c. Climax– It is the most exciting part of a short story. This is the part in the story when important decisions are made or important things are discovered. • d. Falling Action– This point occurs after the climax as the problems in the • story start to work themselves out. The excitement becomes less and less as the conflict is resolved. • e. Resolution– This is the solution to the problem in a story. The solution may not be what you hoped for but as long as it fits the story in tone and theme, the conflict has been resolved. Conflict • Every story needs to have a problem and this problem is called conflict. The main character, also called the protagonist, needs to have someone or something to challenge him. Without conflict, the story will not go anywhere and will not be very interesting to the readers. The main character may be faced with one of the four different types of conflict. These four types of conflict are: • man versus man; • man versus nature; • man versus himself; and • man versus society. Theme • This is the central idea in a short story and a general truth. This is considered as the author’s message to the readers. Point of View • This is the way the story is told or narrated. It is also known as the vantage point that a writer uses to narrate the story. The following are the types of point of view in a short story: • a. First Person – the narrator participates in and tells the story using the pronoun ‘I’. • b. Limited Third Person – the narrator is not in the story and narrates using the pronouns ‘she’ or ‘he’. Also, the narrator is unable to see into the minds of the characters. • c. Omniscient Third Person – the narrator is not in the story and tells the story using the pronouns ‘she’ or ‘he’. In this point of view, the narrator can tell the thoughts of the characters as he can see into their minds. GROUP ACTIVITY: • Rubrics: The class will be divided into 2 groups. Based on the topic discussed, each group will identify the element that is being referred to and the group with the highest score is the winner. A problem or disagreement between people, society, or nature. The central source of tension and drama in the story. In the plot, this action occurs after the climax, when conflicts are resolved and problems solved. This sets the tone, establishes setting, introduces characters, and provides background information on the story. This sets the tone, establishes setting, introduces characters, and provides background information on the story. This sets the tone, establishes setting, introduces characters, and provides background information on the story. The portion of a play or story where the central problem is resolved. The conclusion of a story. The main character in fiction or drama...the person who sets the plot in motion. Answers: 1. Conflict 2. Falling Action 3. Exposition 4. Resolution 5. Protagonist Individual Activity: Label each part of the plot structure and give a brief description of it.