the short story:

18
The Short Story: A work of narrative prose fiction.

Upload: bridie

Post on 14-Feb-2016

100 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

The Short Story:. A work of narrative prose fiction. Aspects of a Short Story:. Setting: Refers to a time, place and atmosphere; where it’s happening and when. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: The Short Story:

The Short Story:A work of narrative prose fiction.

Page 2: The Short Story:

Setting: Refers to a time, place and atmosphere; where it’s happening and when.

The short story usually takes place in one location and the time covered is normally short (sometimes only a few minutes or hours in a day)

Aspects of a Short Story:

Page 3: The Short Story:

What should I consider when it

comes to setting?

Weather Location Time of day Year/Date

Aspects of a Short Story:

Page 4: The Short Story:

Character: There are generally only one or a few main characters in a short story and each plays an important part.

The main character in a short story is called the PROTAGONIST and the character (or force) who presents an obstacle for the protagonist is called the ANTAGONIST.

Aspects of a Short Story:

Page 5: The Short Story:

Plot: This is a sequence of events in a story as arranged by the author. This includes:

Introduction/Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action/Resolution

Aspects of a Short Story:

Page 6: The Short Story:

Introduction: We are acquainted with the setting, main characters, and the initiating incident or conflict.

A hook is really important here. Hook the reader’s attention by opening with a shocking line, description or bit of dialogue. Avoid the generic, “Once upon a time…” or, “Once, there was this guy…”

Plot

Page 7: The Short Story:

Take out a sheet of paper and write 3 weak leads (hooks) and 3 strong leads to a short story.

Example of weak lead: “One day Billy got up and went to his dresser to get his clothes…”

Example of strong lead: “Jason lay on the cold tiled floor, blood surrounding him, waiting for the others to return…”

* Share your hooks with the class!

Activity: Writing a Strong Lead

Page 8: The Short Story:

Rising Action: consists of a series of events which build up to the climax.

This includes the CONFLICT (the opposition of forces) which culminates in the climax. The conflict can be internal or external.

Plot

Page 10: The Short Story:

Climax: Highest point of interest, emotion and/or tension; turning point of story.

Falling Action/ Resolution: plot comes to a final resolution or denouement; loose ends are tied up and outstanding questions are answered

Plot

Page 11: The Short Story:

Theme: The basis idea that inspired the work; the truth about human life that the author wishes to reveal, explore, or present.

The short story is normally built around one main theme although minor themes may be present.

Aspects of a Short Story:

Page 12: The Short Story:

Why do some stories truly effect us while others leave you with the feeling of, “What was the point?”

To make a short story effective, keep the following in mind:

1. Have a clear theme

This means: what is the underlying message or statement behind the words? Get this right and your story will have some resonance in the minds of your readers.

Short Story Tips:

Page 13: The Short Story:

2. An effective story covers a very short time span (a day, hours, minutes, an event, etc).

It should be one single event that proves pivotal in the life of the character, and that even illustrates the theme.

Short Story Tips:

Page 14: The Short Story:

3. Don’t have too many characters!

Each new character will bring a new dimension to the story, and for an effective short story too many diverse dimensions (or directions) will dilute the theme.

Short Story Tips:

Page 15: The Short Story:

4. Make every word count!

There is no room for unnecessary expansion in a short story. If each word is not working towards getting your message/theme across, delete it.

Short Story Tips:

Page 16: The Short Story:

5. Focus The best stories are ones that

follow a narrow subject line.

What is the point of your story? The point is the theme. It’s tempting to digress, but in a ‘short’ you have to follow the straight and narrow otherwise you end up with either a novel beginning or a hodgepodge of ideas that add up to nothing.

Short Story Tips:

Page 17: The Short Story:

6. Do not fall into the, “and then….and then…and then…” TRAP!!!

Remember, use different transitions to tell your story: “Later that day…”, “Hours passed…”, “Moments later…”, etc.

Short Story Tips:

Page 18: The Short Story:

Before writing your own short story, consider the following:

1. What is my theme?

2. What is the plot? (How will I get my theme across?) Don’t forget: Introduction/Rising Action/Climax/Falling Action/Resolution

3. What is the conflict?

4. P.O.V. Will my story be told from a 1st person perspective? 3rd person?

5. What hook will I use to grab my readers’ attention from the start?

6. Who is my main character (protagonist)? What does he/she look like? How old is he/she? What is he/she like?

*Graphic organizers will be provided for you to take notes on these points.

Consider This: