Short Story Elements
Theme-a statement about life that the author wants to convey to the reader. Sometimes the writer will make a clear statement about theme. Other times, the readers will have to make inferences, or reasonable guesses about it. Themes are expressed as a lesson taught throughout the entire story. A theme is not one word. That is a topic.
Plot- the sequence of events involving characters in conflict situations in the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Conflict- an essential component of the plot. It is the tension or opposition between characters/forces in the plot. Conflict usually occurs:
1. man v. nature
2. man v. society
3. man v. man
4. man v. self
5. man v. faith
6. man v. technology
Setting- the time and place of the story. It has a definitie impact on the character development and plot. Frequently, the setting plays an important part in the conflict giving credence to the rising action as a climax or turning point is approached.
Point of View-
first person point of view- the story is told by one of the characters (I)
third person point of view-an outside narrator tells the story.
omniscient: a narrator tells the story, sharing the thoughts and feelings of all the characters
limited omniscient: a narrator tells the story, sharing the thoughts and feelings of only one character
objective: a narrator tells the story without sharing the thoughts and feelings of any of the characters
Character- we come to know the characters in a story through direct descriptions and implied information. Look for each of the following when trying to understand a character:
a. physical description
b. thoughts, feelings, and words
c. comments and reactions of others
d. actions of the character
e. author's stated opinion about the character
Also, think about the following to help you create a profile of the character:
a. strengths and weaknesses
b. qualities- both physical and emotional
c. dialogue- how the character relates to others
d. how the character changes over the course of the story
Vocabulary to Know:
Main Character- the person around whom the conflict revolves
Character Development- the change in the person from the beginning to the ending of the story
Protagonist-the hero of the story who is faced with a conflict
Antagonist- the villain of the story; the person who causes the conflict
Motive- the reason behind an individual's actions
Dialogue- a conversation between two or more characters in a story
Dialect- the way individuals speak if they are from different parts of the country
Concrete Descriptions-descriptions that include things that can be seen
Abstract Descriptions- descriptions that include things that can not be seen (such as emotions and thoughts of the character)
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