Bell Ringer
• What does that song mean to you?
Definition:
Example:
The Short Story
A short story is a short piece of fiction
Learn the elements of short stories
through the movie Megamind.
Setting
• Setting is the time and place of the
story’s action. Setting includes ideas,
customs, values, and beliefs.
The setting in Megamind
• The story takes place in the present day
in a city much like New York, called
Metrocity..
Characters
• Characters are the actors in a story’s
plot. They can be people, animals, or
whatever the writer chooses.
• The protagonist is the main character.
• The antagonist is the person in conflict
with the main character. Not all stories
have antagonists.
Characters in Megamind
Megamind
Roxanne Ritchi
Minion
Hal/Tighten
Metro Man
• Protagonist:
• Antagonist:
Megamind
Hal/Tighten
Point of View
• Point of view refers to the relationship of the
narrator, or storyteller, to the story.
• In first-person point of view, the narrator is a
character in the story, referred to as “I.”
• In third-person limited point of view, the narrator
reveals the thoughts of only one character, referring
to that character as “he” or “she.”
• In third-person omniscient point of view, the
narrator knows everything about the story’s events
and reveals the thoughts of all the characters.
Megamind is told through
The first-person point of
view.
Tone & Mood
• Tone is the author’s own attitude toward the
subject.
• Mood is the emotion the author wanted the
readers to feel while reading about the subject.
(Sets an atmosphere)
• Example:
The screen-writers write Megamind in a
sympathetic and humorous tone.
The tone helps create a encouraging and exciting
atmosphere. (Mood)
Theme
• Theme is the central idea or
message of a story, often a
perception about life or human
nature.
• Stated themes are directly
presented in a story.
• Implied themes must be inferred
by considering all the elements of
a story and asking what message
about life is conveyed.
• The theme of Megamind is… implied.
The audience can infer the message that sometimes
the people we see as “bad guys” are actually
misunderstood and can surprise you with the good
they can do if given a chance!
Plot
• Plot is the sequence of events in a story.
Each event causes or leads to the next. Plot
is often created through conflict, a struggle
between opposing forces.
• An external conflict is one between a
character and an outside force, such as
another character, nature, society, or fate.
• An internal conflict takes place within the
mind of a character who is torn between
opposing feelings or between different
courses of action.
Problem and Conflict in
Megamind
• Problem: Megamind wants a new “hero” to
contend with after defeating his arch-enemy,
but ends up creating a worse villain than
himself.
• Conflict: The conflict is external—Megamind
versus Hal/Tighten.
• Problem 2: Megamind feels like he has to be
“bad” in order to find his place, but he is
actually a good person (or alien).
• Conflict 2: This conflict is internal—Megamind
versus himself. A struggle within himself.
Types of Conflict
• Conflict is generally categorized in the
following ways:
– Man versus Man: this is an external struggle
between two characters
– Man versus Society: this is an external struggle
between a character and a social force or condition
produced by society, such as poverty, political
revolution, or a set of values
– Man versus Nature: this is an external struggle
between a character and some natural obstacle or
natural condition
– Man versus Self: this is an internal struggle within a
character, where aspects of his or her personality
may struggle for dominance. These aspects may be
emotional, intellectual, or moral.
The Five Stages of Plot
• Exposition introduces the story’s characters,
setting, and conflict.
• Rising action occurs as complications, twists,
or intensifications of the conflict occur.
• Climax is the emotional high point of the
story.
• Falling action is the logical result of the
climax.
• Resolution presents the final outcome of the
story.
The 5 Stages of
plot in
Megamind Megamind
Megamind shows up dressed
as the hero to fight for and
save the city instead of
destroy it as a villain typically
does.
They begin to train
begins to
their newly created
realize being
“hero”.
a villain
without a
Megamind is raised He grows
up to be
hero to fight
by criminals and is
left out and made to MetroMan’s is boring.
Hal/Tighten
feel like he doesn’t enemy.
begins to
fit in with “good”
misbehave
kids and people.
and turns on
Megamind
Megamind
and Minion
and the city.
come up
with a plan.
He finally
defeats
MetroMan
and takes
over the
city.
He saves the city and
proves himself to
Roxanne
Everyone starts to
accept him as a good
person.
Ticket out the door:
• Using your notes give me an example of
both tone and mood from another story.