Short Short StoriesStoriesA definition and explanationA definition and explanation

Kuczek-GHS-English II-2011

What is the difference?What is the difference?

Short stories are shorter in length and Short stories are shorter in length and therefore have different obstacles they therefore have different obstacles they need to confrontneed to confront

Due to their length short storiesDue to their length short stories Limit the Number of CharactersLimit the Number of Characters Limit the Range of SettingsLimit the Range of Settings Limit the Scope and ActionLimit the Scope and Action

DefinitionDefinition

A short story can simply be A short story can simply be defined as a work of defined as a work of literature that is intended literature that is intended to be read at one sitting.to be read at one sitting.

Key ElementsKey Elements

Plot- Plot- The sequence of eventsThe sequence of events

Conflict- A problem or struggle

Setting- Time and place of the action

PlotPlot

PlotPlot ExpositionExposition

Background information:Background information:• Example- Finding Nemo: We Example- Finding Nemo: We

see the reason that Nemo’s see the reason that Nemo’s father is over protective and father is over protective and what happened to his mother.what happened to his mother.

• The information contains the The information contains the following but is not limited to- following but is not limited to- Introduction of characters, Introduction of characters, description of setting, and description of setting, and showing the conflict.showing the conflict.

PlotPlot

Initial IncidentInitial Incident This is the starting point of the story. Past this This is the starting point of the story. Past this

point there is no return.point there is no return. Example: This is the point where Nemo goes Example: This is the point where Nemo goes

to touch “the butt”. Once he does this it sets a to touch “the butt”. Once he does this it sets a chain of events in motion.chain of events in motion.

PlotPlot

Rising ActionRising Action This is the meat of the story.This is the meat of the story. This is where the majority of the events take This is where the majority of the events take

place.place. Example: This is where Nemo is in the fish Example: This is where Nemo is in the fish

tank and his father is searching for him.tank and his father is searching for him.

PlotPlot

ClimaxClimax The high point of the story.The high point of the story. This is the point where you are This is the point where you are

sitting on the edge of your seat!sitting on the edge of your seat! Example: Nemo tries to convince Example: Nemo tries to convince

his Dad to swim towards the his Dad to swim towards the bottom of the net. This is the bottom of the net. This is the point where his Dad must come to point where his Dad must come to terms with his conflict!terms with his conflict!

PlotPlot

Falling ActionFalling Action These are the events that end in solving the These are the events that end in solving the

stories problem.stories problem. These are the events that lead to the These are the events that lead to the

resolution.resolution. Example: Nemo and his father discuss what Example: Nemo and his father discuss what

happened while they were apart.happened while they were apart.

PlotPlot

ResolutionResolution This is where all problems are wrapped up in This is where all problems are wrapped up in

a perfect little bow!a perfect little bow! Events and problems are understood and Events and problems are understood and

solved.solved. Example: Nemo’s Dad realizes that though Example: Nemo’s Dad realizes that though

he has physical handicaps that he is capable he has physical handicaps that he is capable and deserves to be treated with respect.and deserves to be treated with respect.

ConflictConflict

Most plots center around a conflictMost plots center around a conflict A conflict is defined as a problem or A conflict is defined as a problem or

struggle.struggle. Example: Nemo struggles to be Example: Nemo struggles to be

independent while his father attempts independent while his father attempts protect him from the real world.protect him from the real world.

ConflictConflict

There are 2 main types of conflictsThere are 2 main types of conflicts Internal Conflict- The struggle within a Internal Conflict- The struggle within a

charactercharacter• Nemo’s internal conflict is that he believes he is Nemo’s internal conflict is that he believes he is

not capable and can’t do things due to his not capable and can’t do things due to his disability.disability.

External Conflict- A struggle between 2 External Conflict- A struggle between 2 characters, between one person and a group characters, between one person and a group or against nature/forcesor against nature/forces• Nemo has a conflict with being confined in a fish Nemo has a conflict with being confined in a fish

tank.tank.

SettingSetting

Setting is defined as the time and place of Setting is defined as the time and place of the story.the story.

Settings can be in any time period and Settings can be in any time period and may change time periods through the may change time periods through the story.story.

They can occur at different times of day or They can occur at different times of day or different seasonsdifferent seasons

SettingSetting

The place of a story can change through The place of a story can change through out the piece.out the piece.

The setting can refer to geographical The setting can refer to geographical location or the location within a social location or the location within a social class. class.

Setting is not limited to physical location.Setting is not limited to physical location.

Reading AssignmentReading Assignment

Now that you better understand the Now that you better understand the components of a short story we will move components of a short story we will move onto onto A Trip to Grandmother’sA Trip to Grandmother’s

Pay special attention to the conflict within Pay special attention to the conflict within the story!the story!