Short Stories


Definition of a Short Story || Purpose || Conflict || Blueprint of a Short Story


Definition
  • Can usually be read in one sitting
  • Usually 3000 to 4000 words
  • Concentrates on producing one main impression
  • Centres on one incedent, situation or character
  • Has one central character and very few others
  • There is a conflict
    man vs
    man
    self
    machine
    animal
    time
    circumstance
  • there is a distint climax
  • It has a definite outcome that is generally satisfactory, althoough not always a happy ending


Blueprint of a Short Story
Main Types or Elements -a short story is predominatly one of four types, although all four elements maybe present.
  • Plot
    author mainly interested in the story and the events that occur. Reader anxious to know what happens next.>
  • Character
    mainly interested in the main character. His/her personality causes the events to happen. Usually a change takes place in the character as a result oof the events of the story.
  • Setting
    where the story takes place is the most important element, story can only take place in those types of surrondings.
  • Theme
    the whole story revolves around the controlling idea of the story. The theme does not have to be a lesson or moral.
Mood-a minor element, but not a type of story. Mood is the emotional response of the reader that is created by the story.

Plan of a Short Story
  • Motivation[or conflict]
    something happens to make the story begin and creates an unstable situation or problem that must be resolved. Conflict is between the protagonist and antagonist[which can be man, self, animal, time, ect.]
  • Suspense[or complication]
    something happens to make the problem more difficult for the protagonist to resolve
  • Climax
    the highest point of interest. Reader should begin to have an idea of how the problem will be resolved
  • Outcome
    the protagonist now either wins or loses his struggle against the antagonist
  • Denouement
    the final explanation or happenings that explain the outcome


Point of View
  • Omiscient
    Writer knows all the thoughts and actions of all the characters
  • Limited Omniscinet [narrator or participant]
    Story told by one of the characters taking part ing the story. Knows only the thoughts of one chracter. Also called 'first person', story told by 'I'.
  • Objective
    Writer records and reports only what is seen and heard. This form is the most dramatic because it allows the writer to spring surprises on the reader. Also called 'third person' - author talks about he/she/they


Foreshadowing -the author tells the reader something that hints at what is to come. Does not always come about as hinted at.

Evaluation of a Short Story -identify the following
  • Type of story
  • Viewpoint
  • Denouement
  • Theme
  • Protagonist
  • Antagonist
  • Complications
  • Climax
  • Your opinions
  • Mood
  • Outcome
  • motivation


Purpose
  • Gaining a broder understanding of life by learning about qualities such as truth, justice, goodness, love, and faith
  • Fills our imagination with visions of other worlds
  • Entertainment
  • Prompts us to reflect on life as we reach for deeper understanding
  • Combine entertaining with reaveling life
    • Entertainment focuses on plot, conflict, suspence, humour
    • Revealing life focuses on themes, character
      • Creates lasting suspence
  • Meaning, values, success of a story


Conflict
  • Conflict is a struggle
    • To understand
    • To solve a problem
    • To reach a goal
    • To satisfy a need
  • Can be internal or external
    • Internal can be
      • Man vs self
      • Physical
      • Mental
      • Emotional
      • Moral
      • A combination
    • Internal or external
      • Man vs man
      • Man vs machine
      • Man vs animal
      • Man vs surrondings
      • Man vs circumstance
      • Man vs time
  • Can trace where it begins, how it develops, is resolved
  • Can examine main charcters responses to the conflict to gain understanding of character's
    • Values
    • Personality
    • Philosiphy of life
  • Outcome
    • Why did they win/lose?
    • Why was it not resolved?
      • Produces a deeper understanding of the conflict
  • If the character lost because of
    • Personality flaw
    • Circumstance
    we want to know why so we can avoid it ourselves
  • Conflict is a major element in plot development
    • Creates excitemnet
    • Imparts meaning to actions



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