Short Story Unit
Miller 2011-2012
English I
Genre
►A
category of literature
►Example:
short story,
poetry, or drama
Short Story Definition
►a
fictional, prose, narrative of 12,000
words or less
►Fictional: not true
►Prose: written in sentences and
paragraphs
►Narrative: tells a story
Plot
►The
sequence of events
(action) in a narrative
► Plotline Model
Flashbacks and Foreshadowing
A scene that interrupts the
action of a story to tell about events that
happened at an earlier time
► Flashback:
In the Lion King, during Simba’s
fight with Scar, Simba is hanging over the
edge of the cliff and the movie uses a
flashback to revert to the scene where
Mufasa was hanging in a similar way.
► Example:
Flashbacks and Foreshadowing
► Foreshadowing-
Clues that hint at actions
that are to follow in the story
Horror movies – any time a
blonde screams at the beginning, she’ll be
dead before the end of movie
► Example:
Figures of Speech
► literary
devices used by an author
► simile- A comparison between two unlike
things using “like” or “as.”
► Example: You eat like a pig.
► metaphor-
A comparison between two
unlike things without using like or as.
► Example: You’re such a pig.
Figures of Speech
►
imagery- language that appeals to the five
senses-taste, touch, sight, smell, hearing
►
Example: mouth-watering chocolate; slick
and glistening streets
Figures of Speech
► irony-
A contrast between what is stated
and what is really meant, or between what is
expected to happen and what actually
happens
►
Example: Calling a 6’6’’ guy “shorty” /
A guy gives up drinking, then he’s killed
when a beer truck hits him.
Theme
►the
message or messages the
author is trying to show the
reader
Point of View
►the
position from which the story is told
to the reader
►First person- the narrator is a character
in the story
►Innocent eye- 1st person- when the
narrator is a child in the story
►Example: The Wonder Years; A Christmas
Story; Malcolm in the Middle
Point of View
►
Third person- the narrator is outside the
story
► Omniscient- all knowing; the narrator is
outside the story and tells the reader
everything
► Example: The beginning of Beauty and the
Beast starts with a hand opening a book and
stating, “Once upon a time…”
►
Limited Omniscient- narrator tells most of
the story
Types of Conflict
► Internal-
a person is in conflict within
himself (character vs. self)
Simba’s inner struggle to get over
his guilt and decide whether or not to face
his past by returning to the pride.
► Example:
Types of Conflict
► External-
conflict arises from the outside
►
character vs. character- conflict
between two characters
► Example: Simba versus Scar
►
character vs. nature- conflict between
character and nature
► Example: Survivor; The Amazing Race
Types of Conflict
►
character vs. society- conflict between
character and society
► Example: In Beauty and the Beast, the
Beast struggles to fit into society despite his
looks.
►
character vs. supernatural- conflict
between ghosts, etc
► Example: Aliens; Terminator
Character Types
Character’s personality
does not change throughout the
story
 static-

Example: Throughout the movie, Finding
Nemo, Nemo remains courageous and
adventurous.
Character Types
 dynamic-
Character undergoes a
change in attitude or personality

Example: In Finding Nemo, Marlin
(Nemo’s dad) changes as he learns to not
let fear control his life.
Character Types
►stereotype-
the character
represents an entire group of
people
► Example: The show/movie Clueless has
the “ditzy blonde” stereotype.
Characterization
► the
way the author presents the character to
the reader
► direct-the
author states in the text what the
character is like
► Example: Henry is not intelligent.
Characterization
► indirect-
the character states what he or
she is feeling
► Example: “Boy, Henry you’re not too smart.”
► inferred-
the reader has to arrive at the
conclusion by interpreting the character’s
actions
► Example: Henry forgot to do his homework
every day.
Aspects of A Character
 physical-
characteristics such as height,
weight, hair, and eye color
 Example: Belle from Beauty and the Beast
has brown hair, thin, dainty-like
► psychological-what
is going on in the
character’s mind and how he thinks, acts,
and behaves
► Example: Belle is smart, kind,
compassionate, open-minded
Aspects of A Character
► sociological-
where a character actually fits
into society
►
Example: Beast from Beauty and the Beast
is ostracized/shunned by society because of
his looks
Aspects of A Character
Central character in a work
of literature (not necessarily a hero or “good
guy”)
► PROTAGONIST-
► Example:
Simba
► ANTAGONIST-
protagonist
► Example:
Scar
Character who opposes the
Levels of Understanding
► literal
level- what the story is about- the plot
line/surface level
level- the author’s
message(s) and understanding
► interpretative
► applied
level- how do those messages
apply to your own personal life and to our
society
Tone and Atmosphere
the author’s attitude toward his
subject
► Tone-
► Atmosphere-
mood
► Example: scary, happy, sad, etc.
World Views
► How
the author feels toward life and
existence
► Romantic-
positive; good, capable of
change, happy endings, etc (Disney)
World Views
► Realistic-
no emotions, facts only, no
“good” or “bad” (Newspaper)
► Naturalistic-
negative, people are not good;
man is trapped in a mechanized society and
can’t help himself
Epiphany
►a
sudden understanding of
something you didn’t understand
before (AHA! Moment)