ELEMENTS OF SHORT STORY

N A M E : R A H U L N A I R C O L L E G E : L .V. H . C O L L E G E N A S H I K C L A S S : S .Y. B . A

OBJECTIVESIdentify elements of a short

story.Define elements of a short

story.Demonstrate mastery of

short story elements

OVERVIEW Short stories often contain structural and character elements that should be familiar to you. These elements can be used as guides to help you think about the actions, themes, and contexts of the story.

The study or appreciation of literature is very interesting and helpful to learners for many reasons.Literature in English involves the reading

and analysis of written materials of different kinds including fiction and non-fiction written works in English.

All learners of Literature in English should be ready to analyze whatever they read critically by the end of the course.

Introduction to Literature

Laurence Lerner :- “Literature is language well used.”

Walt Whitman :- “Literature strictly considered, has never recognized the people and whatever may he said, does not today. Speaking generally, the tendencies of literature, as hither to pursued, have been to make mostly critical and querulous men.”

Some Great Definitions of Literature

Literature can be classified according to whether it is fiction or non-fiction & whether it is poetry or prose; it can be further distinguished according to major forms such as the novel, short story or drama; & works are often categorized according to historical periods or their adherence to certain aesthetic features or expectations.

Major Forms of Literature

A short story is a relatively brief fictional narrative or story written without using any rhymes of rhythms. The short story has a beginning, a middle, and an end and is composed of the following elements: Theme Plot Character Setting Point of View

Short Story as a Form of Literature…

The central idea that the author wishes to set forth in his or her writing.To find the theme, ask yourself these questions: What is the story about? What is the central idea? What observation did the author make

about human nature?

THEME

A series of related events that the author uses to develop the theme of a story. Each event connected to the next like a chainTo identify the plot, ask yourself these questions : What happens in the beginning of the story? What happens in the middle of the story? What happens at the end of the story?

PLOT

CHRONOLOGICAL PLOT DIAGRAM

Risi

ng A

ctio

n Falling

Action

Resolution

Climax

Exposition

Conflict

The action of the story is centered around the characters in the story. One central character usually dominates the story.Mainly there are two types of CharactersFlat CharacterRound Character

CHARACTER

Flat Character : A flat character is a character that is uncomplicated and remains the same throughout the fictional work. A flat character is also characterized by only by one or two traits.

Round Character : A round character is a complex character who has many different qualities. He or she may even contradictory. A round character cannot be summed up in a sentence or two.

The stage upon which the action of the story takes place. The setting is to a story just as the background is to a painting.

SETTING

The author’s choice of the teller of the story. The point of view is important to the total structure and meaning of the short story.

POINT OF VIEW

Ibanez, Jose R; Jose Francisco Fernandez; Carmen M. Bretones, P 2007, Contemporary Debates on the Short Story.

Wikipedia

Bibliography

THANK YOU…