(1) Plot: The chain of events that make up a story. It shows the cause-effect relationship of events and actions within a story.

Welcome to ourWelcome to ourShort Story UnitShort Story Unit

Plot TrianglePlot Triangle

(2) Exposition: The introduction of the story where setting, characters, and conflict are introduced

(3) Rising Action: The series of events (complications) about the conflict in the story that lead to the climax

(4) Climax: An intense emotional point and where the outcome of the conflict is decided (the turning point).

(5) Falling Action: All of the action which follows the climax

(6) Resolution: The conclusion; the tying together of all of the threads

(7) Setting(7) Setting The time and place of The time and place of

a story.a story. Most often, the setting Most often, the setting

is described in the is described in the exposition (beginning) exposition (beginning) of a story.of a story.

Contributes to the plot Contributes to the plot – especially in – especially in character vs. nature character vs. nature conflict.conflict.

(8) Mood/Atmosphere(8) Mood/Atmosphere The overall feeling of The overall feeling of

a piece of literature. a piece of literature. Can be described Can be described

with one or two with one or two adjectives (scary, adjectives (scary, happy, sad)happy, sad)

Images or sounds Images or sounds used by the writer to used by the writer to create a specific create a specific feelingfeeling

(9) Suspense(9) Suspense The uncertainty or anxiety that a reader The uncertainty or anxiety that a reader

feels about what will happen next in a feels about what will happen next in a story.story.

Suspense is created by mood, as well as Suspense is created by mood, as well as the following techniques:the following techniques: Foreshadowing – hints of what’s to comeForeshadowing – hints of what’s to come Mystery – withholding information from the Mystery – withholding information from the

reader or unusual circumstancesreader or unusual circumstances Reversal – good to bad or bad to goodReversal – good to bad or bad to good Dilemma – forced to choose between two Dilemma – forced to choose between two

dangerous situationsdangerous situations

(10) Conflict(10) Conflict A struggle between opposing A struggle between opposing

characters or forcescharacters or forcesWithout conflict, there is no plot.Without conflict, there is no plot.

Types of ConflictTypes of Conflict(11) External Conflict: A character struggles with an outside force: Character vs. CharacterCharacter vs. NatureCharacter vs. Society

(12) Internal Conflict: A character struggles with himself or herself:Character vs. Self

(13) Theme(13) Theme An idea or message An idea or message

the writer wishes to the writer wishes to convey about the convey about the subject; a general idea subject; a general idea or insight about lifeor insight about life

Most often themes are Most often themes are not stated directlynot stated directly

The reader has to The reader has to think about all the think about all the elements of the workelements of the work Things are not always what

they seem.

Types of CharactersTypes of Characters(14) Dynamic characters(14) Dynamic characters: C: Change hange over the course of the story over the course of the story

(15) Static characters:(15) Static characters: Stay the same Stay the same throughout the course of the storythroughout the course of the story

Characters include…Characters include… (16) PROTAGONIST:(16) PROTAGONIST: The main character The main character

in a work of literaturein a work of literature

(17) ANTAGONIST(17) ANTAGONIST: : The character OR force The character OR force opposing the main characteropposing the main character

All other characters are minor characters All other characters are minor characters

(18) Characterization(18) Characterization The way an author reveals the The way an author reveals the

personality of a characterpersonality of a character

(19) Direct characterization(19) Direct characterization The author simply tells you a character’s The author simply tells you a character’s

personalitypersonality Ex. Katie is honest.Ex. Katie is honest.

(20) Indirect (20) Indirect CharacterizationCharacterization

The author reveals the character’s The author reveals the character’s personality throughpersonality through:: Words of the character Words of the character Actions of the characterActions of the character Thoughts and feelings of the characterThoughts and feelings of the character Words and actions of other charactersWords and actions of other characters Character’s appearance Character’s appearance (looks and (looks and

clothing)clothing)

(21) Character Trait(21) Character Trait A quality shown by a character in a A quality shown by a character in a

storystory::TallTallShortShortHappyHappyProtectiveProtectiveSmart….Smart….

(22) Point of View(22) Point of View The vantage point from The vantage point from

which a story is told which a story is told (who is telling the story)(who is telling the story)

The three most common The three most common points of view arepoints of view are Third-person OmniscientThird-person Omniscient Third-person limitedThird-person limited First PersonFirst Person

(23) First Person Narrator(23) First Person Narrator One character tells One character tells

the story using “I”the story using “I” Told by a character Told by a character

in the storyin the story We only know what We only know what

this person knowsthis person knows Information may Information may

not be reliablenot be reliable

(24) Third-Person Limited (24) Third-Person Limited NarratorNarrator

Tells the story Tells the story through the eyes of through the eyes of only one characteronly one character

Narrator not part of Narrator not part of the storythe story

Narrator focuses Narrator focuses on thoughts and on thoughts and feelings of only one feelings of only one charactercharacter

(25) Third-Person (25) Third-Person Omniscient NarratorOmniscient Narrator

Tells the story from an Tells the story from an all-knowing view pointall-knowing view point

The narrator knows The narrator knows everything about all the everything about all the characters and their characters and their thoughts, feelings, and thoughts, feelings, and motivationsmotivations

Stands apart rather like Stands apart rather like a god a god

(26) Foreshadowing(26) Foreshadowing Hints or clues about the story’s Hints or clues about the story’s

upcoming eventsupcoming events

(27) SYMBOL(27) SYMBOL A person, place, thing or event that A person, place, thing or event that

has meaning in itself and stands for has meaning in itself and stands for something beyond itselfsomething beyond itself

For example: When an American flag For example: When an American flag is mentioned in a story, it might is mentioned in a story, it might mean freedom or patriotism.mean freedom or patriotism.

(28) Tone(28) Tone The attitude a writer takes towards his The attitude a writer takes towards his

or her subject, characters, and audience.or her subject, characters, and audience. Examples:Examples:

Sarcastic Sarcastic EncouragingEncouragingBitterBitterOptimisticOptimistic