literature short stories

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Welcome!

literature - short stories

What is a short story?

A short story is a work of fiction that can be read in one sitting—usually between 20 minutes to an hour.

Parts of a short story

A short story has several key elements:

• Setting – one time and place
• 1-2 main characters
• Single plot – one storyline
• Central theme or moral lesson
• Uses literary devices

Setting?

plot?

What is a story mountain?

A story mountain is the way a short story is structured.

The basic parts of a short story are:

• Beginning (identify the main character, the problem, and the setting
• The rising action (events that happen to main character)
• Climax (turning point)
• Falling Action (how the character solves his/her problem)

Example of a story mountain

See booklet p.3

Characters

• protagonist 
• antagonist 
• flat
• round 
• stock

Characters

Flat characters are two-dimensional in that they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work.

By contrast, round characters are complex and undergo development, sometimes sufficiently to surprise the reader.

Literary vocabulary

• Point of view --> the perspective the narrator holds
  
• Theme --> an idea explored throughout the story
  
• Tone / mood --> The attitude of the narrator toward the subject matter of the story. May be playful, serious, angry, etc.
  

Literary vocabulary

• Foreshadowing           --> ''I have a bad feeling about this'' hinting at a plot development in the future
  
• Metaphor / Similie     --> "That child is a hurricane" or "That child is like a hurricane"
  
• Diction (word choice)  --> style of the author, how they use words and language in general.
  

During/after reading

Fill in the table for the short story Lamb to the Slaughter

Setting, Problem, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action & Conclusion

In class

Done with the story?

• Make a group of 3/4
• Start with: "Steps to creating your story"

Not done with the story?

• Complete the story and answer the questions!