Lesson Notes: Orientation in a Short
Story
Introduction
In this lesson, we explore the orientation in a short story, which introduces the context,
characters, and setting of the story. We will cover the elements that make up an effective
orientation, including the use of descriptive language and character traits.
Learning Objectives
The purpose of this lesson is to explore the orientation of a short story. By the end of the
lesson, you should be able to:
• Identify the elements of an orientation.
• Identify the context of a short story.
• Describe the setting and characters.
• Compose character traits.
Orientation of a Short Story
The orientation is the beginning of a story where the characters, setting, and plot are
introduced. It sets the mood and tone for the rest of the story. The author uses this section
to engage the reader by describing the who, what, and where of the story.
Setting the Scene
The orientation answers the who, what, and where of the story. The who refers to the
characters, the what to the plot, and the where to the setting.
Who: Characters of the story.
What: The plot or main event of the story.
Where: The location or setting of the story.
Descriptive Language
Descriptive language is used by the author to depict characters, settings, or actions vividly,
creating a picture in the reader's mind. Adjectives describe nouns (e.g., excited crowd) and
adverbs describe verbs (e.g., cheered loudly).
Example: 'The excited crowd cheered loudly as the fireworks exploded into thousands of
colourful sparks, whilst others swirled crazily!'
Character Traits
Character traits are words used to describe the personality or qualities of a character. These
traits can be positive or negative and are described using adjectives.
Outside Traits: These describe external features, such as appearance or actions. Example:
tall, freckled, angry.
Inside Traits: These describe internal aspects, such as thoughts or feelings. Example: brave,
honest, sad.
Example Characters with Traits:
• Jenny: moody, mean, aggressive
• Bianca: creative, brave, delightful
• Olivia: talkative, adventurous
The Setting
The setting is introduced in the orientation and tells the reader when and where the story
takes place. The setting can be real or fictional, and its details are important in shaping the
narrative.
Example: 'I stared at the beauty of the billions of glimmering stars that surrounded me as I
was floating in space.'
Context of a Short Story
The context provides the background information or circumstances that explain why events
are taking place in the story. Knowing the backstory of characters helps readers understand
their actions.
There are four main types of context:
• Historical Context: Refers to the time period and events that shape the story.
• Physical Context: Describes the environment or location in which the story takes place.
• Cultural Context: Focuses on the beliefs, values, or traditions that influence the characters.
• Situational Context: Describes the reasons behind the actions of characters in certain
circumstances.
Putting it All Together: Orientation
To create an effective orientation in a short story, the writer should:
• Use descriptive language to immerse the reader in the story.
• Provide context to help readers understand why characters behave the way they do.
• Introduce the plot to hook the reader's interest and set the stage for the rest of the
narrative.
Learning Objectives Recap
In this lesson, we have learned about the orientation of a short story. By understanding its
elements, you can now:
• Identify the elements of an orientation.
• Identify the context of a short story.
• Describe the setting and characters.
• Compose character traits.
Conclusion
By knowing the different elements of a short story's orientation, you can improve your
narrative writing. The orientation engages the reader, introduces important details, and
sets the tone for the entire story.