Title: The Short Story
1The Short Story
2A short story is a short piece of fictionLearn
the elements of short stories through the classic
Cinderella
3Setting
- Setting is the time and place of the storys
action. Setting includes ideas, customs, values,
and beliefs.
4The setting in Cinderella
- The story takes place a long time ago in a land
ruled by a king and a queen.
5Characters
- Characters are the actors in a storys 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.
6Characters in Cinderella
- The main characters are Cinderella, the
stepsisters, their mother, the fairy godmother,
and the prince. - Protagonist Cinderella
- Antagonist the stepsisters, their mother
7Point 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 storys
events and reveals the thoughts of all the
characters.
Cinderella is told through the third-person
omniscient point of view.
8Theme
- 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 Cinderella is implied. The reader
can infer the message that if you are in a bad
situation, you should do the best that you can.
In the end, things will work out for you.
9Plot
- 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.
10Problem and Conflict in Cinderella
- Problem Cinderella wants to go to the ball, but
her stepsisters prevent her from going. - Conflict The conflict is externalCinderella
versus the stepsisters and their mother.
11Types 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.
12The Five Stages of Plot
- Exposition introduces the storys 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.
13The 5 Stages of plot in Cinderella
The stepsisters try to force their feet into the
slipper. It fits Cinderella.
A fairy godmother appears and provides
Cinderella with clothes, a coach, and footman.
Cinderella dances with the prince, but leaves
hurriedly at midnight losing a slipper
An invitation to the ball arrives.
Cinderella lives with her stepsisters and their
mother. they make her wear rags and do all
the hard work.
Cinderella and the prince marry.
The prince says he will marry the woman whom
the slipper fits.
Cinderella goes to the ball.
The stepsisters go to the ball.
They live happily ever after.