English 1201 Elements of Short Fiction Characteristics of

English 1201 Elements of Short Fiction

Characteristics of a Short Story § It is a literary form used by an author to entertain. § It is written in prose and is fiction but may be based on fact. § It is narrative (that is it tells a story). § It can usually be read in one “sitting”. § It presents a situation or experience in which the reader shares. § It is centred on conflict ( a struggle, disagreement or problem).

Common Elements § Every short story has common elements; these are: § 1. Character § 2. Plot § 3. Setting § 4. Point of View § 5. Theme

Character and Characterization § Characters are the fictitious “people” in a § piece of literature. § Authors provoke reactions from readers by developing their characters in various ways.

Types of characters § Primary characters: the most important characters in a work of fiction • protagonist: the main character • antagonist: the character who opposes or is in conflict with the protagonist. § Secondary characters: characters of less importance than the protagonist and antagonist

Qualities of characters § Round characters: well‐developed characters § Flat characters: one‐dimensional characters § Stereotypes: characters who fulfill “stock” roles § Developing Characters: are characters who change their outlook during the story. ( What was the change, when, what caused it? ) § Dynamic characters: characters who undergo changes over the course of the work of fiction § Static characters: characters who stay the same over the course of the work of fiction § Foil: is a character opposite in one major respect (i. e. personality trait) to that of the main character.

Characterization § Characterization is the method by which the author reveals character. This can be done directly or indirectly. § Direct Characterization – the author develops the personality of a character by direct statements. § Indirect Characterization – is when the author reveals a character’s personality through their thoughts, words, actions, as well as, physical appearance and what others say about them.

Plot § Plot - refers to the events that take place in a work of fiction. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another. § Plot Diagram (Freytag’s Pyramid) German critic Gustav Freytag conceived the structure of a typical five‐act play as a pyramid. § This pattern of Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Dénouement can be applied to a wide variety of literary works.

Plot Diagram (Freytag’s Pyramid) 3 2 4 5 1

1. Exposition § This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

2. Rising Action § This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

3. Climax § This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action § All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution § The story comes to a reasonable ending. All loose ends are tied up.

Setting § Setting refers both to the place, time, and circumstances in which a work takes place. § Setting often affects or contributes to the atmosphere of the story.

Point of View § § § § refers to the “person” who tells the story in a work of fiction. • Viewpoint refers, in other words, to the narrator. Viewpoint • Types of narrators – First‐person narrator (“I”): when the narrator is one of the characters in the work and tells the reader his or her own thoughts and feelings – Second‐person narrator (“You”): when the reader becomes the main character in the work – Third‐person narrator (“He”/”She”): when the narrator focuses on other characters rather than on himself or herself