Short Story Terminology

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Short Story Terminology

• During English I you should have familiarized
  yourself with the following terms if you have
  not, familiarize yourself with them now be able
  to give examples from the readings we cover
  throughout the semester

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Narrator

• The character or voice from whose point of view
  events are told
• 1st person
• 3rd person omniscient
• 3rd person limited omniscient
• 3rd person objective
• Stream of Consciousness (a.k.a. dramatic or
  interior monologue)

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Point of View

• First-Person
• When a character within a selection describes the
  action as a participant, in his or her own words
• Almost always the Main Character (Protagonist)
• Uses words like
• I
• Me
• Us
• We
• Etc.

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Point of View continued

• Third-Person (general definition)
• When a narrator outside the action describes
  events and characters
• 3rd Person Omniscient
• Subjective, all-knowing, editorial, impartial
• God like
• Can see into everyones minds and more
• 3rd Person Limited Omniscient
• Objective, sees into one character only
• 3rd Person Objective
• Sees into characters minds but does not judge
  them
• Stream of Consciousness
• Exist in present tense and consists of the
  procession of thoughts passing through the mind
  often random but provides an intimate knowledge
  of the subject

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Setting

• Time
• Place
• Historical background information
• Cultural background information

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Functions of Setting

• Establishes mood and atmosphere
• Foreshadows events to come
• Serves as a symbol
• Reflects the emotional conditions of characters
  in the work
• Introduces or enriches the theme of a work
• Reveals characters attributes
• Indicates the time and place

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Character Types

• Type/flat
• static
• Individual
• Round
• Dynamic or static
• Developing
• Round and dynamic
• Reforming
• Deteriorating

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Type/Flat

• Minor character
• Constructed around one central idea or
  characteristic and never changes or surprises the
  reader
• Static character
• A character that remains the same throughout the
  story
• Does NOT change!!!

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Individual

• Round character
• Complex character, demonstrating many personality
  aspects, have believable motivations, are capable
  of surprising the reader
• We know a little about the character
• Religion, politics, feelings, some background,
  etc.
• Can be either static and/or dynamic
• Usually a major character, but not the main
  character, in the story that undergoes some, if
  any, change in the plot

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Developing

• Almost always the protagonist or antagonist
• Almost always a round character
• Dynamic/Kinetic
• Definitely goes through some change throughout
  the plot
• Reforming
• A character whose life goes from bad to good
• A Rags-to-Riches kind of deal
• Deteriorating
• A character whose life goes from good to bad or
  bad to worse

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Other Misc. Character Types

• Stereotypes
• Conventional character representing a particular
  group, class, or occupation
• Acts according to patterns
• Appearance is familiar, speech predictable, and
  actions standardized
• Foils
• Character who serves as a contrast to another
  usually the main character(s)
• Helps to illuminate the protagonists positive
  qualities by demonstrating his own negative
  attributes

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Ways in which an author might develop a character

• Dialogue - what the character says and how he/she
  says it
• Actions what the character does
• Physical description
• Psychological description
• Probing what a character thinks or feels
• What other characters say about him/her
• His/her environment

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Types of Conflict

• Internal
• Man vs. Self
• Man vs. Fate/Destiny
• External
• Man vs. Man
• Man vs. Nature
• Man vs. Society

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Interior Conflicts

• Man vs. Self
• A struggle or problem that takes place inside the
  characters heart and/or mind
• Usually referred to as the psychological
  conflict
• Man vs. Fate/Destiny
• When the character has to struggle against the
  gods or the powers that be
• Usually only found in Greek or Roman mythology
• Usually referred to as the classical conflict

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Exterior Conflicts

• Man vs. Man
• Also known as the romantic conflict
• Protagonist vs. Antagonist
• Good vs. Evil
• Man vs. Nature
• Mother Natures artillery
• Tsunamis, hurricanes, cyclones, volcanoes,
  earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.
• All animals in the wild including the wild
  itself
• Seasons, environment, weather, etc.
• Usually referred to as the physical conflict

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External Conflict continued

• Man vs. Society
• Technology
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Main character is a martyr, outcast, heretic
• Opinions go against those of society
• Usually referred to as the social conflict
• Me against the world view

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Plot Map Elements

• Exposition
• Rising Action
• Climax
• Falling Action
• Resolution/Dénouement

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Exposition

• Typically found in the beginning of a work and
  introduces
• Characters
• Setting
• Time
• Place
• Historical/cultural background information
• Summarizes significant events that took place
  before the action began or foreshadows events to
  come

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Rising Action

• Part of the plot where problems/conflicts begin
  to occur and intensify
• Almost always the largest bulk of plot
• Builds up to the highest point of action

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Climax

• The moment when the interest and emotional
  intensity reaches its highest point
• The Highest Point of Action
• The big fight between the good guys and the bad
  guys
• Usually found in External Conflict stories
• The Turning Point
• When the character actually changes/turns or
  becomes cognizant of their problem like through
  an epiphany
• Usually found in Internal Conflict stories

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Falling Action

• Occurs after the climax/turning point
• Shows the result of the major events
• Resolves loose ends in the plot
• Not always found in stories

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Resolution/Dénouement

• The final action in the story
• Bottom of the falling action
• Clarification of the plot and/or theme
• Comedy
• The hero gets married or lives happily ever after
• Tragedy
• The hero dies
• Also not always found in stories

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Theme

• Central idea or message
• Provides some insight into life or human nature
• On FCAT, known as Main Idea and Authors Purpose
• Examples
• Equality
• Acceptance
• Love and Relations
• Family Values
• Etc.

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El FIN
Peace and we outta here This has been a Donoso
Product-shizzle!!!