Elements of Short Stories

Elements of Short Stories

What is a short story?

Open Ended

What do you already know about short stories? Can you name one short story that you have read?

Characteristics of Short Stories

• short enough for us to read in one sitting without interruption

• one main plot--no little sub-plots

• few characters; often spans a short period of time

• relates a very dramatic or crucial part of a character’s life and then ends quickly

• Fiction

What elements make up a short story?

Elements of the Short Story

A short story ALWAYS has a plot! The plot is what happens in the story. It includes:

exposition: the introduction of time, place and characters

Ex. At the beginning of “Toy Story” we are introduced to all the different toys. We are also introduced to the idea that they only move when people aren’t looking.

Multiple Choice

What would be considered the "exposition" in Of Mice and Men?

• when Lennie broke Curley's hand

• when George and Lennie were talking in the brush at the beginning of the book

• when Lennie was seeing hallucinations at the end of the book

• when Lennie killed Curley's wife

Elements cont.

Conflict: a struggle between two opposing forces

Ex: Woody and Buzz are lost.

Rising action: a series of events that create suspense in a short story

Ex: Woody and Buzz get lost and left at Pizza Planet where they are eventually picked up by Sid

Multiple Select

Check all of the following that would be considered rising action in Of Mice and Men

• George shoots Lennie in the brush

• Lennie crushes Curley's hand

• Candy offers to help George and Lennie get their farm

• Lennie is given a puppy by Slim

Open Ended

Name at least ONE conflict present in Of Mice and Men

Elements cont.

Climax: the turning point in the story; the most intense part of the story

Ex: When Woody and Buzz use the Rocket to get back to Andy

Falling Action: action leading to the solution (happens after the Climax)

Ex. Woody and Buzz drive with Andy to his new house.

Open Ended

What do YOU think the climax of "Of Mice and Men" was. Why?

Elements cont.

Resolution: shows how the situation turns out; how is the conflict solved

Ex. Woody and Buzz return to Andy and move to the new house.

Protagonist: the main character of the story (not always the good guy)

Antagonist: the character who causes the conflict

Multiple Choice

Which would be considered the resolution to Of Mice and Men?

• George shoots Lennie

• Lennie kills Curley's wife

• Lennie kills his puppy

• Carlson shoots Candy's dog

Elements cont.

Theme: the central idea or insight to life present in the story.

Ex. A theme in Toy Story would be that you can always find your way back home.

Poll

If we read a short story, I feel like I could mostly identify most of the elements of plot.

• True

• False

Open Ended

Reflect on this lesson; what did you like about it? What didn't you like about it?

Poll

Nearpod or Quizizz Lesson?

• Nearpod

• Quizizz lesson

• combo of both