CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SHORT STORY OVERALL Short duh

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SHORT STORY

OVERALL � Short (duh): can be read in one sitting � Concise: information offered is relevant to the story being told (novels can diverge, short stories should not) � Single Impression: usually built around one character, place, idea, or action

PLOT � The action that takes place in the story � Stages: � Exposition: introduction of characters, setting � Conflict: initial problem or situation � Rising Action: circumstances the heighten anticipation � Climax: highest point of anticipation � Falling Action/Resolution (denouement): ending

SETTING � Background against which the incidents of the story take place � Includes the place where, the time when, and the social conditions under which the story moves along � Can also include atmosphere, or tone/feeling

CHARACTER � Must be living beings in the story that think or act to keep the story going, or they must seem like living and feeling individuals � Four Methods of Presentation: � Actions or thoughts � Conversations the characters engages in � Conversations about the main character � Author’s own opinion (overt or implied)

POINT OF VIEW � Third person � Author omniscient: writer is all knowing, all seeing � Author as observer: writer has no sight into the character’s actions/thoughts; objective � Multiple storytellers: different characters narrate � First person � Author participant: author may be main character, secondary character, or take on a role

THEME � The total meaning of the story � Does not have to be tied up in simple morals � Many times, the stories let readers see the outcomes of certain behaviors � Stated or implied, traditional or against the norm � Without, the story will lack meaning or purpose