Presto Plans
WHAT IS A SHORT STORY? A short story is a fictional, narrative piece of prose. A short story has many of the same elements as a novel; however, because it covers a shorter period of time, a short story has Less developed characters A conflict which is introduced and resolved quickly Presto Plans
REMINDERS WHAT DO THESE WORDS MEAN? Fictional: Narrative: Prose: If a story is fictional, it is not true The events that make up the story. Any writing that is not poetry. Presto Plans
THE PLOT DIAGRAM The plot diagram is the most common way that a fictional story is organized. Inciting incident Denouement
THE PLOT DIAGRAM Exposition: This is where the story begins. In this section you are introduced to the characters, the setting, and the mood. Inciting Incident: This is where the reader is introduced to the conflict. Rising Action: This is where most of the action happens. It is also where tension and suspense is built. Presto Plans
THE PLOT DIAGRAM Climax: This is the most exciting part of the story. It is where the conflict reaches its highest point. Falling Action: This is where the conflict begins to resolve. The problems are starting to be 'cleaned up'. Resolution: This is where the conflict has completely resolved and all questions are answered. Not all stories have this! Denouement: This is portion attempts to answer some of the remaining questions the reader is left with after the resolution. Presto Plans
CONFLICT Conflict is the problems which often happen between the protagonist (main character) and antagonist (person against the main character). Conflict is the most important aspect of the plot. Conflict is resolved when either the protagonist or antagonist wins or gives up. Presto Plans
CONFLICT 6 Main Types of Conflict character vs character character vs self character vs environment character vs society character vs fate character vs supernatural
SETTING Setting is the time and place of the story. Presto Plans
ATMOSPHERE When the setting or scene causes an emotional response in the reader. Presto Plans
POINT OF VIEW Refers to who is telling the story: First person: When the character is involved in and is telling the story. It is easily identified by the use of I. Third person (limited, omniscient, objective): When the narrator is not involved in the story. He/she knows might provide one characters thoughts/feelings (limited), all characters thoughts/feelings (omniscient), or none of the characters thoughts/feelings (objective). Uses "He", "She", "They"
TONE/MOOD Tone provides the author's feelings about the subject of the story shown by his/her writing style; whereas, mood is the feeling that you get as a reader.
FORESHADOWING Hints the author gives about what will happen later in the story. Presto Plans
FLASHBACK where the author depicts specific events to the reader, which have taken place before the events that are currently unfolding in a story. A flashback can happen once, or continuously bounce back and forth between present and past.
THEME The universal issue or central thought of the story. Usually the theme sparks a lot of debate/conversation and provides insight into the human condition. Theme is not plot specific. The same theme can be present in many different works.
MORAL A lesson that an author is attempting to teach through a story. It may be directly stated or the reader may have to infer this lesson based on events, characters, outcomes, etc.
IRONY Situational Irony: The opposite happens to what the reader has been led to expect. (Real life example - You stay up all night to study for a test to find it has been canceled the next day) Presto Plans
IRONY Verbal Irony: The speaker says one thing but means the opposite (Real life example - Someone comes to your house in old ripped up clothes and you say "oh, I see you dressed up for the occasion") Sarcasm is similar but usually with a malicious intent.
IRONY Dramatic Irony: The audience or reader is aware of something one or more of the characters is not aware of (Real life example In horror movies, the audience will often know where the killer is when the characters do not). Presto Plans
COMPARISONS Analogies: a comparison of two things, usually to explain or clarify something. Similes: a comparison of two unlike things using comparison words, such as like or as. Metaphors: a comparison of two unlike things where the comparison is made directly by saying one thing is the other.
SYMBOLISM Using a concrete object to represent an abstract idea. Birds have always been used as symbols maybe your phone symbolizes something to you?
ALLUSION An expression used to call to mind previous feelings by connecting to a person, place, idea, piece of literature, or pop culture that is commonly known or understood, but it s up to the reader/listener to make the connection. Frequently both the Bible and Shakespeare are used in allusions.