Short Stories Study Notes Essays

Elements of Fiction/Short Stories Study Notes Essays Elements of Fiction/Short Stories Study Notes Paper Elements of Fiction/Short Stories Study Notes Paper Falling Action: working towards the resolution Denouement/Resolution: knotting of the plot Plot Manipulation: an unmotivated action by a character or when the author relies too heavily on chance or coincidence to bring about the solution to the conflict Conflict Man vs.. Man against another character or society Man vs.. Nature external forces Man vs.. Self conflict with some element of his own nature Protagonist: the central character in the conflict Antagonist: the forces opposing the protagonist (people, things, society, traits of the character) Motivation: what causes a character to do what he or she does. Character Flat: one-two traits. A minor character Round: complex, many-sided Realistic: complex and realistic in choices/life Stock: stock or stereotyped character that is obvious and known Dynamic: undergoes a significant change Foil: a character whose qualities/octagons serve to emphasize another character by providing a strong contrast Point of View Omniscient: 3rd person narrative. The author gets into the heart and mind oft+ characters Limited Omniscient: 3rd person narrative, but the author only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character. First Person: the author disappears into one of the characters who tell the story Objective: the author disappears into a camera- like state. It Is only recording what is seen and heard, but cannot comment, interpret, r enter a characters mind Theme Theme should be expressed in the form of a statement, and should be about the subject. Ex. Schooling mainly has more rewards than frustrations. Should be general and shouldnt use names from the story Avoid using absolutes: never, always, every but rather use sometimes, may in order to develop the human nature Insight (universal and a greater scope to the story) MUST NEVER be reduced too click © Moral and theme are never Interchangeable. A moral Is some rule of conduct being taught in a story and is applicable to most people. Theme is more than what you can see from above. Setting and Atmosphere The time and place of a story. The setting needs to be questioned as what impact does the setting have on a plot, conflict, character, theme, etc. Atmosphere can be determined by the readers initial EMOTIONAL reaction to the story. Atmosphere Is Creepy, unnerving, and silencing Irony Irony is the method of expression in which intended meaning is opposite or different from that expressed. It provides depth of meaning and impact, but can also add moor Verbal Irony: occurs when what a character says or believes contrasts with what the character actually means Dramatic Irony: occurs when what a character says or believes contrasts with what the reader or other characters know to be true Situational Irony: occurs when what finally takes place is different from what was expected or seemed appropriate.