THE SHORT STORY Title of Selection: Author: Elements of a Short Story Elements of This Story Characters: the people or animals who are in a story Setting: the time and place in which a story occurs Plot: the action and problems that occur in a story Conflict: struggle(s) the character faces Theme: the story s statement about life or the human condition Point of View: the vantage point from which a story is told
Narrator Chart The point of view of the narrator determines what you learn as you read a story. A third personomniscient narrator knows and tells all. The third-person-limited or first-person narrator tells only what one character knows. If the narrator is biased or unreliable, you may not be able to believe what you read. In the chart below, fill in the point of view of the narrator who tells the story you have just read. Then tell what you have learned from the narrator. (You may not learn anything about an omniscient narrator.) Finally, decide if what you learned is reliable. Point of View: The Narrator: What I Learned About Other Characters: Events: Is the information reliable?
Character Analysis Character Passages Words Actions Appearance Thoughts Effects on Other People Direct Characterization Analysis of Character
DETERMINING METHODS OF CHARACTERIZATION Methods of Characterization Examples from the Selection INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION The character is revealed through his or her own speech. The writer describes how the character looks and dresses. The character s private thoughts are revealed. The writer reveals what other characters in the story say or think about the character. The writer shows what the character does how he or she acts. DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION The writer directly states what kind of person the character is: sneaky, honest, evil, innocent, and so on.
CHARACTER: THE ACTORS IN A STORY Types of Characters Round characters are complex and multidimensional, like real people. Examples from the Selection Flat characters are one dimensional and superficial; they can be described in a single sentence. Dynamic characters change in an important way because of the story s action. Static characters do not change much or at all during a story. Stock characters are predictable stereotypes of people Motivation of Round Characters Motivation is the underlying force(s) that causes a character to act a certain way. Examples from the Selection
ANALYZING SETTING IN A STORY Questions to Ask About Setting Responses from the Story 1. What is the setting? Historical period? Country or locale? Season of the year? Weather? Time of day? What are the sights? Sounds? Tastes? Smells? What other details establish a sense of place? 2. Are the characters in conflict with the setting? What do the characters want? Does the setting keep them from getting what they want? 3. What does the setting tell us about the characters? What feelings or attitudes do the characters reveal toward the setting? Fear? Pleasure? Challenge? Dislike? Respect? Other feelings or attitudes? 4. How would you describe the atmosphere or mood created by the setting? Is it gloomy? Cheerful? Mysterious? Threatening? Other descriptions?
ANALYZING A STORY S THEME Questions to Help Clarify Theme Responses (with Examples from thestory) 1. Does the title signify something about the story? Does it point to a truth the story reveals about life? 2. Does the main character change during the course of the story? Does the main character realize something he or she did not know before? 3. Are any important statements about life or people made in the story, either by the narrator or characters in the story? 4. Is the theme ever directly stated? If so, where is it stated? 5. In one sentence, state the story s theme. Do you agree with the theme? Is the writer presenting a truth about life or forcing us to accept a false view?
HINT FORSHADOWING OUTCOME
External Conflict Person vs. Person Conflict Person vs. Nature Person vs. Society Person vs. Self Internal Conflict