Short Story Short Story TerminologyTerminology

During English I you During English I you should have should have familiarized yourself familiarized yourself with the following with the following terms; if you have not, terms; if you have not, familiarize yourself familiarize yourself with them now; be able with them now; be able to give examples from to give examples from the readings we cover the readings we cover throughout the throughout the semester…semester…

NarratorNarrator The character or voice The character or voice

from whose point of from whose point of view events are told:view events are told:– 11stst person person– 33rdrd person omniscient person omniscient– 33rdrd person limited person limited

omniscient omniscient – 33rdrd person objective person objective– Stream of Stream of

Consciousness (a.k.a. Consciousness (a.k.a. dramatic or interior dramatic or interior monologue)monologue)

Point of ViewPoint of View

First-Person First-Person – When a character within a selection describes the action When a character within a selection describes the action

as a participant, in his or her own wordsas a participant, in his or her own words– Almost always the Main Character (Protagonist)Almost always the Main Character (Protagonist)– Uses words like:Uses words like:

II MeMe UsUs WeWe Etc.Etc.

Point of View continuedPoint of View continued Third-Person (general definition)Third-Person (general definition)

– When a narrator outside the action describes events When a narrator outside the action describes events and charactersand characters

33rdrd Person Omniscient Person Omniscient– Subjective, all-knowing, editorial, impartialSubjective, all-knowing, editorial, impartial– ““God” likeGod” like– Can see into everyone’s minds and moreCan see into everyone’s minds and more

33rdrd Person Limited Omniscient Person Limited Omniscient– Objective, sees into one character onlyObjective, sees into one character only

33rdrd Person Objective Person Objective– Sees into characters’ minds but does not judge themSees into characters’ minds but does not judge them

Stream of ConsciousnessStream of Consciousness– Exist in present tense and consists of the procession of Exist in present tense and consists of the procession of

thoughts passing through the mind; often random but thoughts passing through the mind; often random but provides an intimate knowledge of the subjectprovides an intimate knowledge of the subject

SettingSetting

TimeTime PlacePlace Historical background informationHistorical background information Cultural background informationCultural background information

Functions of SettingFunctions of Setting Establishes mood and atmosphereEstablishes mood and atmosphere Foreshadows events to comeForeshadows events to come Serves as a symbolServes as a symbol Reflects the emotional conditions of Reflects the emotional conditions of

characters in the workcharacters in the work Introduces or enriches the theme of a workIntroduces or enriches the theme of a work Reveals characters’ attributesReveals characters’ attributes Indicates the time and placeIndicates the time and place

Character TypesCharacter Types Type/flatType/flat

– staticstatic IndividualIndividual

– RoundRound

– Dynamic or staticDynamic or static DevelopingDeveloping

– Round and dynamicRound and dynamic

– ReformingReforming

– DeterioratingDeteriorating

Type/FlatType/Flat

Minor characterMinor character– Constructed around one central idea or Constructed around one central idea or

characteristic and never changes or surprises characteristic and never changes or surprises the readerthe reader

Static characterStatic character– A character that remains the same throughout A character that remains the same throughout

the storythe story– Does NOT change!!!Does NOT change!!!

IndividualIndividual Round characterRound character

– Complex character, demonstrating many Complex character, demonstrating many personality aspects, have believable personality aspects, have believable motivations, are capable of surprising the motivations, are capable of surprising the readerreader

– We know a little about the characterWe know a little about the character Religion, politics, feelings, some background, etc.Religion, politics, feelings, some background, etc.

Can be either static and/or dynamicCan be either static and/or dynamic– Usually a major character, but not the main Usually a major character, but not the main

character, in the story that undergoes some, if character, in the story that undergoes some, if any, change in the plotany, change in the plot

DevelopingDeveloping

Almost always the protagonist or antagonistAlmost always the protagonist or antagonist Almost always a round characterAlmost always a round character Dynamic/KineticDynamic/Kinetic

– Definitely goes through some change Definitely goes through some change throughout the plotthroughout the plot ReformingReforming

– A character whose life goes from bad to goodA character whose life goes from bad to good– A “Rags-to-Riches” kind of dealA “Rags-to-Riches” kind of deal

DeterioratingDeteriorating– A character whose life goes from good to bad or bad to A character whose life goes from good to bad or bad to

worseworse

Other Misc. Character TypesOther Misc. Character Types StereotypesStereotypes

– Conventional character representing a particular Conventional character representing a particular group, class, or occupationgroup, class, or occupation

– Acts according to patternsActs according to patterns– Appearance is familiar, speech predictable, and Appearance is familiar, speech predictable, and

actions standardizedactions standardized

FoilsFoils– Character who serves as a contrast to another; Character who serves as a contrast to another;

usually the main character(s)usually the main character(s)– Helps to illuminate the protagonist’s positive Helps to illuminate the protagonist’s positive

qualities by demonstrating his own negative qualities by demonstrating his own negative attributesattributes

Ways in which an author might Ways in which an author might develop a characterdevelop a character

Dialogue - what the character says and how Dialogue - what the character says and how he/she says ithe/she says it

Actions – what the character doesActions – what the character does Physical descriptionPhysical description Psychological descriptionPsychological description Probing what a character thinks or feelsProbing what a character thinks or feels What other characters say about him/herWhat other characters say about him/her His/her environmentHis/her environment

Types of ConflictTypes of Conflict

InternalInternal– Man vs. SelfMan vs. Self– Man vs. Fate/DestinyMan vs. Fate/Destiny

ExternalExternal– Man vs. ManMan vs. Man– Man vs. NatureMan vs. Nature– Man vs. SocietyMan vs. Society

Interior ConflictsInterior Conflicts

Man vs. SelfMan vs. Self– A struggle or problem that takes place inside A struggle or problem that takes place inside

the character’s heart and/or mindthe character’s heart and/or mind Usually referred to as the “psychological” conflictUsually referred to as the “psychological” conflict

Man vs. Fate/DestinyMan vs. Fate/Destiny– When the character has to struggle against the When the character has to struggle against the

gods or the “powers that be”gods or the “powers that be” Usually only found in Greek or Roman mythologyUsually only found in Greek or Roman mythology Usually referred to as the “classical” conflictUsually referred to as the “classical” conflict

Exterior ConflictsExterior Conflicts

Man vs. ManMan vs. Man– Also known as the “romantic” conflictAlso known as the “romantic” conflict– Protagonist vs. AntagonistProtagonist vs. Antagonist– Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil

Man vs. NatureMan vs. Nature– Mother Nature’s artilleryMother Nature’s artillery

Tsunamis, hurricanes, cyclones, volcanoes, earthquakes, Tsunamis, hurricanes, cyclones, volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.tornadoes, etc.

All animals in the wild including the “wild” itselfAll animals in the wild including the “wild” itself Seasons, environment, weather, etc.Seasons, environment, weather, etc. Usually referred to as the “physical” conflictUsually referred to as the “physical” conflict

External Conflict continuedExternal Conflict continued

Man vs. SocietyMan vs. Society– TechnologyTechnology

AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages

– Main character is a martyr, outcast, hereticMain character is a martyr, outcast, heretic Opinions go against those of societyOpinions go against those of society Usually referred to as the “social” conflictUsually referred to as the “social” conflict ““Me against the world” viewMe against the world” view

Plot Map ElementsPlot Map Elements

ExpositionExposition Rising ActionRising Action ClimaxClimax Falling ActionFalling Action Resolution/DénouementResolution/Dénouement

ExpositionExposition

Typically found in the beginning of a work Typically found in the beginning of a work and introduces:and introduces:– CharactersCharacters– SettingSetting

TimeTime PlacePlace Historical/cultural background informationHistorical/cultural background information

– Summarizes significant events that took place Summarizes significant events that took place before the action began or foreshadows events before the action began or foreshadows events to cometo come

Rising ActionRising Action

Part of the plot where problems/conflicts Part of the plot where problems/conflicts begin to occur and intensifybegin to occur and intensify

Almost always the largest bulk of plotAlmost always the largest bulk of plot Builds up to the highest point of action…Builds up to the highest point of action…

ClimaxClimax

The moment when the interest and The moment when the interest and emotional intensity reaches its highest pointemotional intensity reaches its highest point– The Highest Point of ActionThe Highest Point of Action

The “big fight” between the good guys and the bad The “big fight” between the good guys and the bad guysguys

Usually found in External Conflict storiesUsually found in External Conflict stories

– The Turning PointThe Turning Point When the character actually changes/turns or When the character actually changes/turns or

becomes cognizant of their problem; like through an becomes cognizant of their problem; like through an epiphanyepiphany

Usually found in Internal Conflict storiesUsually found in Internal Conflict stories

Falling ActionFalling Action

Occurs after the climax/turning pointOccurs after the climax/turning point Shows the result of the major eventsShows the result of the major events Resolves loose ends in the plotResolves loose ends in the plot Not always found in storiesNot always found in stories

Resolution/DénouementResolution/Dénouement

The final action in the storyThe final action in the story– Bottom of the falling actionBottom of the falling action

Clarification of the plot and/or themeClarification of the plot and/or theme ComedyComedy

– The hero gets married or lives happily ever afterThe hero gets married or lives happily ever after

TragedyTragedy– The hero diesThe hero dies

Also not always found in storiesAlso not always found in stories

ThemeTheme

Central idea or messageCentral idea or message Provides some insight into life or human natureProvides some insight into life or human nature On FCAT, known as Main Idea and Author’s On FCAT, known as Main Idea and Author’s

PurposePurpose– Examples:Examples:

EqualityEquality AcceptanceAcceptance Love and RelationsLove and Relations Family ValuesFamily Values Etc.Etc.

El FINPeace and we outta here…

This has been a

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