Short Story Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is a short story?
A short story is short.
Can usually be read in one sitting.
It develops more quickly than a novel.
There are different genres (fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction, etc)
Usually takes place in 1 setting (maybe 2).
Usually has 1 plot line, with not much detail.
Point of view (POV) 1st or 3rd.
A few characters
Has a theme
Has a central conflict
Has dialogue
Variations of the same story
Theme
The theme of a story is the central idea, message, or underlying meaning that the author explores through the story. It is a universal concept or insight about life, society, or human nature that the story conveys. The theme can be expressed directly or subtly through the actions, dialogue, and experiences of the characters, as well as the plot.
How do you find the theme in a story?
To find the theme of a story, consider the following steps:
Look for Repeated Ideas or Concepts: Pay attention to recurring ideas, words, or images throughout the story. These often point toward the theme.
Consider the Plot and Conflict: The central conflict of the story often reveals the theme.
Analyze the Characters’ Journeys: How the characters change (or don’t change) over the course of the story often ties into the theme. If a character learns to forgive, the theme might involve redemption or personal growth.
Reflect on the Resolution: The way the story concludes can offer clues to the theme. What lesson is learned by the end of the story? What is the author trying to convey about life, relationships, or society through the resolution?
Examine the Setting and Symbolism: Sometimes the setting or symbols in a story represent larger ideas that connect to the theme. For example, a storm might symbolize emotional turmoil or a character’s inner conflict.
Ask What the Author Is Trying to Say: Think about the author’s purpose in writing the story. What message do they want the reader to take away? This can help identify the deeper theme.
By combining these elements, you can identify the theme, which is often a broad statement about life or human nature that the story explores.
Conflict
A struggle between opposing forces
Example - man vs. self
Types of Conflict
Man vs self (internal) - Struggle between a character and his or her conscience
Example - Inside of Out
Man vs man (external) - A mental or physical struggle between two or more characters
Example - Star Wars
Man vs nature (external) - A struggle between the character and elements of a nature that are beyond his or her control
Example - Titanic
Man vs society (external) - A struggle between a character and the rules or law that govern the society in which he or she lives
Example - Ruby Bridges
Man vs unknown (external) - A struggle with the unknown, beyond human comprehension, may have to do with magic or fate.
Example - Harry Potter
Characterization
Characterization is the process by which an author or creator develops and reveals the traits, personality, and qualities of a character in a story.
Two types of characterization
Direct Characterization - The author directly tells the audience what a character is like, describing their traits and personality explicitly.
Example: “John was a kind and generous man.”
Indirect characterization: The author reveals a character’s traits through their actions, speech, thoughts, appearance, and how other characters interact with them. (actions, words, thoughts, feelings, what others’ say)
Example: “John gave the homeless man his last dollar, smiling as he walked away.”
Setting
Setting refers to the time, place, and environment in which the events of a story take place.
Plot
The action or series of events that make up a story.
Stages of Plot
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
Exposition
The part of the story usually near the beginning which introduces the characters, setting and basic situation
Rising Action
The central part of the story during which various problems arise after a conflict is introduced - leads up to the climax
Climax
The turning point - when two opposing forces come together and the reader doesn’t know what is going to happen.
Falling Action
The events following the climax that lead to the resolution
Resolution
When the problems are solved and the story comes to an end
