Short Story Elements Flashcards
Draw diagram of short story
Refer to sheet
Three types of short story endings
Surprise or shock(not the same)
Unfinished (cliffhanger)
Natural(events are tied up neatly)
What is the most common short story ending
Surprise or shock ending
What does the opening of short stories state
- sets the scene
- intro the main character
- arouses the interest of the reader
- presents the situation to the reader
Complicating incident
What event triggers the conflict. Calls for some action from the central character
Climax
- highest point of tension
- turning point which reveals the success or failure of the protagonists fate
- resolves the conflict
The author’s style
Short stories rely on theme, setting, plot or conflict. Others rely on humour or exaggeration.
What is a key ingredient to short stories
Suspense
What are Edgar Allan Poe’s principles?
- one sitting
- one event
- first sentence grabs the readers attention
- characters are necessary to the effect
Story should end in climax
Every word contributes to the planned effect
When was short story invented?
Nineteenth century
Escape lit
Takes us away from the real word. Able to forget about your problems.ex. Sci-fi, horror
Interpretive lit
Takes you deeper into the real world. Helps you understand your problems. Romance, mystery
Plot
Events that make up the story
Conflict
A clash of action, ideas, desires, or wills. The main character maybe pitted against a person or group(manvsman). The conflict maybe an external force-physical nature, society, fate (manvsenvironment). The conflict maybe an element of his own nature( manvshimself). The conflict maybe mental, physical, emotional, moral
Protagonist
The central character in the conflict, maybe a sympathetic or unsympathetic person
Antagonist
Forces against the protagonists. Whether persons, things, conventions of society, or traits of his own character
Suspense
The feeling of wanting to know what’s going to happen next. Two common device used are mystery& dilemma. Mystery is a crave for an explanation. Dilemma is a position which he must choose between two courses of action, both undesirable.
Surprise
Sudden turn or twist
Artistic unity
Essential to a good plot. There must be nothing in the story which is irrelevant
Flat character
A person with one or two traits. Can be explained in one sentence
Round character
Takes a paragraph to explain. Complex and many-sided. Short stories will hardly have room for more than 1 or 2
Static character
A person that remains the same throughout the story
Stock character
Stereotyped figure that occurs so often in fiction that his nature is already known
Developing character
A character that changes his character, personality, or outlook. The change maybe big or small, for better or for worse
