Short Stories Flashcards
Exam (27 cards)
What is a short story?
The short story is a genre or type of literature. It is a brief fictional prose narrative. Short stories can vary in length, yet usually follow a specific pattern of plot. They usually only have a small number of characters and one main character. The settings are typically limited.
Differences of a Novel
Generally speaking, it is much longer than a short story.
You will encounter more information prior to the climax.
You need a strong introduction.
More details.
Engage reader`s emotions.
May contain many description adjectives.
Differences of a short story
Shorter in length and time: fewer pages to read. The plot might revolve around one day or one week, as opposed to a novel which can cover more time, such as a full year.
You get to the climax faster.
You must catch the reader’s attention immediately in your opening.
Fewer details. The details must contain importance.
Engage reader`s emotions.
There are many descriptive adjectives (ex: She was a sad lady walking down the muddy road on a rainy day…)
What is a plot?
Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.
Elements of a plot development
The structure of a story, or the sequence in which the author arranges events in a story.
For Example: If an author writes, “The king died and then the queen died,” there is no plot for a story. But by writing, “The king died and then the queen died of grief,” the writer has provided a plot line for a story.
A plot’s structure is the way in which the story elements are arranged. Narrative tradition calls for developing stories with particular pieces–plot elements–in place.
What are the elements in the plot?
Exposition is the information needed to understand a story. The action gets rolling.
Initial Incident is the first problem faced by the main character. It is the beginning of suspense, of wondering what happens next.
Rising Action is the complication and the catalyst that begins the major conflict.
Climax is the turning point in the story that occurs when characters try to resolve the complication.
Falling Action is the set of events that begins to bring the story to a close.
Resolution: Follows the falling action. The author ties up loose ends.
What is a plot diagram?
This PLOT DIAGRAM shows how the main events in a short story are organized into a plot.
What is a character?
The action of the story is centered around the characters in the story. One central character usually dominates the story.
What are the three Property of characters?
The three property of characters are Static, Dynamic, Stereotype
What are roles in a short story?
The roles in a short story Protagonist, Antagonist, Secondary, Chorus
What is a chorus in short stories?
The characters who are not really important. They can give special and important information regarding the plot, setting, other characters and/or conflict. They sometimes provide foreshadowing and at times create comic relief.^^
What is Characterization?
Direct Characterization is that of an Author tells the reader the personality of the character in Unlike real life.
Indirect Characterization is that an Author shows rather than tells about character in Real life.
What is conflict?
The opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot move.
Why is conflict important in short stories?
Conflict is essential to the plot. Without conflict, there is no plot. Conflict is not merely limited to open arguments; rather it is any form of opposition that faces the main character.
What are the 2 different types of conflicts?
External - A struggle with a force outside one’s self.
Internal - A struggle within one’s self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.
What are the different kinds of conflict?
Character vs. Character - The leading character struggles with his physical strength against other characters.
Character vs. Circumstances - The leading character struggles against the forces of nature and/or animals, fate, or the circumstances of life facing him/her.
Character vs. Society - The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people.
Character vs. Self - The leading character struggles with himself/herself; with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.
What is a point of view?
The perspective the author creates to tell the story.
What does the narrator mean in the short story?
The character or force who tells the story. This may be done in 1st or 3rd person.
What are 4 different types of points of view in a short story?
First Person, Third Person Omniscient, Third Person Limited Omniscient, Third Person Objective
What does first person mean?
The story is told by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely with the protagonist or other characters (using pronouns I, me, we, etc). The reader sees the story through this person’s eyes as they experience it and only knows what they know or feel.
What does Third Person Omniscient mean?
A method of storytelling in which the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in the story, as opposed to third person limited, which adheres closely to one character’s perspective. Eg: In Anna Karenina, which is written in the third person omniscient, the story is told by an all-knowing narrator, allowing us to see the world through the eyes of many characters, not just Anna’s.
What does Third Person Limited Omniscient mean?
Focusing a third-person narration through the eyes of a single character. Refers to people as “he/she/they” from the perspective of someone “outside” the story.
What does Third Person Objective mean?
Narration from an outside perspective. Tells the story from the helicopter’s perspective: can see all, but has no specific insights into any one character.
What is a dialogue in short stories?
A dialogue is a discourse or discussion between characters in a story. Dialogue is what your characters say to each other (or to themselves-ex: a monologue).
