Objectives:

Define what a short story is Define elements of a short story Read and identify the elements of a short story Write original short stories Connect the theme of the story to their daily life affairs

Elements

of a Short Story

What is a Short Story?

A short story is a work of fictional narrative prose with a few characters, limited setting, and a single major event.

A short story is meant to be read in a single sitting.

What are its elements?

1.Characters – are the people, animals, strange creatures or objects that think, talk and act.

Types of Characters

a. Protagonist – one who undergoes a change or learns something during the course of the story

-the one who takes the leading part

b. Antagonist – the who contends with the protagonist

2.Setting – provides the locale (place) and period (time) of the short story

-it may be real or a make believe place and time

3. Plot – is the series of events which leads to a climax, or high point of interest

Parts of a Plot

a. Exposition – the characters and setting are introduces, as is the conflict – the struggle between a character and some other force.

a.1 Types of Conflict Man vs Man (could be a specific person or

society in general) Man vs Nature (could be weather conditions or

animals) Man vs Himself (could involve personal life

circumstances or psychological issues)

b. Rising Action – during this time the tension builds as the conflict becomes more evident

c. Climax – this is the highest point of interest in the story

-It involves important discovery or decision. During this time, one of the battling forces wins and the conflict is resolved

d. Falling Action – the event that immediately follows the climax

-During this part, the story draws to a close

e. Resolution – the part of the story in which loose ends are tied up

Risin

g

Actio

n

Exposition

Climax

Falling

Action

ResolutionLeah’s

parents go away,

leaving Leah alone at

their home for the

first time.

Leah watches horror

movies. She wakes up, alarmed at the noise.

She decides to check the basement door. She

gets locked in the

basement.

Leah’s parents arrive home just as Leah

panics.

Leah explains to

her parents why she

was in the basement.

Leah realizes that she learned

an important lesson about

herself.

Kinds of Plot

a. Man in a Hole – considered as the oldest and most popular kind of plot. This story begins with a character or a group of persons trapped in some kind of a hole or problem. The story goes on to show how the characters manage to get out of their predicament.

b. Man on the Road – some short stories achieve their unifying effect through a single character journeying through life, encountering various stages of adventure and growth

-This type of plot tends to be episodic but because all events happened to the same person, unity is established.

c. Man in a Tub – this type of plot involves two important factors. First, there must be an unstructured and usually, an ordinary event. Then, second, a realization or insight from the experience of such event.

4. Theme – is a general truth about life

-This is considered as the message of the story to the readers

Ex: Greed brings one’s downfall.

5. Point of View – is the way in which the story is narrated. It is the method, the vantage point, that writers use to tell the story.

Types of Point of View

a. First Person – the narrator, using the word “I” tells the story and participates in it.

Ex: I turned back to my bucket and sponge, and I could feel the tears burning in my eyes. I wanted so much to go to the ball but my stepsisters would not hear of it.

b. Limited third person – the narrator, who is not in the story, tells the story through the use of “she” or “he”. The narrator cannot see into the minds of the characters.

Ex: Tears in her eyes, Cinderella turned back to her bucket and sponge. She jumped when the door to the room slammed behind her as her stepsisters left for the ball.

c. Omniscient third person – the narrator, who is not in the story tells the story through the use of “she” or “he.” The narrator can see into the minds of the characters and tell their thoughts.

Ex: Hurt and disappointed, Cinderella turned back to her bucket and sponge. The thought of missing the ball brought tears to her eyes. Cinderella jumped when the door slammed behind her.

Evaluation:Read the short story: How Much

Land Does A Man Need, by Leo Tolstoy

Identify the elements of the short story