Short Stories

M. Jones - EnglishShort StoriesThere will be a test at the end of this unit What is a Short Story?Semi-official definition:

A work of fiction that can be read in one sitting.Have we read any short stories thus far?Duffys Jacket3 Skeleton Key

The Legend of Sleepy HollowFamous Short StoriesA Clean Well-Lighted Place Ernest HemingwayThe Lottery Shirley JacksonThe Last Leaf O. HenryAraby James JoyceThe Tell-Tale Heart - Edgar Allen Poe

Many of the most famous book authors have also written short stories.

Elements of a Short StoryAll short stories have certain characteristics that most novels, books, stories, movies etc have.1. CharactersThe storys actors. Could be people or animals.

Protagonist: the main character. This person is the one facing the problem.Antagonist: The character or force that conflicts with the protagonist.2. PlotThe chain of related events that take place in a story. What happens in the story!

What is the Exposition?What is Rising Action?What is the Climax?What is a Resolution?ConflictA struggle between 2 opposing forces.

External Conflict: Man vs. ManMan vs. NatureMan vs. obstacle or society

Internal Conflict: Man vs. Himself

WHAT TYPE OF CONFLICT WOULD BE FOUND IN THE LITTLE MERMAID?Determining TopicsA topic is a one or two word idea that is something that is talked about or dealt with somehow in the story

LoveFriendshipJealousyOvercoming Trials

Words like sad or excited arent really topics. Theyre more like what is called the TONE of the story.. How it makes you feel.

WHAT TOPICS WOULD BE FOUND IN THE LITTLE MERMAID?4. ThemeThe idea about human life and human nature that gives meaning to the story. The central message. What is it that this author is trying to say??

Characteristics of a Theme?A theme must be stated in at least one complete sentence.A theme must be expressed as a generalization about life or human nature.Should explain the whole story, not just parts of it.How to determine a Theme?Ask how the protagonist has changed during the story.Think about the storys title or statements in the story that point to the writers view of the world or human nature.

You will have to think about the Theme! The writer usually does not come out and say it.

POSSIBLE THEMES IN THE LITTLE MERMAID??QUIZ ON MONDAY!1. What is our new unit on?2. What is the official term for the main character in a story who faces a problem?3. What are the two main types of conflict?4. What are the four parts of a plot? Draw them on a plot chart (the wave).5. What is the difference between a theme and a topic?