Short Story Definitions
A Short Story is…
A piece of prose (writing) which is less
involved than a novel. It usually involves:
• One important person
• One important struggle (conflict)
• One important result.
It develops a single incident, in one locale
(place), with a small group of characters and
happens in a short period of time.
A. The Plot (the framework of the
story)
1. The Introduction:
a) to grab the reader’s interest
b) to introduce the characters
c) to introduce the setting
d) gives a hint to the story
2. The Rising Action: the events that build
up the story.
3. The Climax: the point at which we know
how the story will end. It is the most exciting
part.
4. The Conclusion: follows soon after the
climax. Details can be explained here that
couldn’t be explained before the climax or
suspense would be ruined.
Assignment #1
Read the short story “Catch” found on page
51 of your Sightlines 8 anthology. When
you are finished reading the story write
down what happened in each of the 4
sections of the plot (a sheet is provided).
B. Characters
The action centres around one principle
character who is in conflict. The author
develops his characters in 3 ways:
1. By the author’s comments.
2. By the character’s own actions and
words.
3. By the comments of other characters in
the story.
C. Conflict
A clash of opposing forces.
1. Character vs. character
2. Character vs. environment
3. Character vs. himself/herself
D. Dialogue
Actual conversations between characters.
The purpose is to:
1. Create interest
2. Develop the plot
3. Reveal characters
E. Protagonist
The main character (most important) in the
story.
F. Antagonist
The major character (or thing) in opposition
to the protagonist.
Assignment #2
Read the story “The Street That Got Mislaid” on page 4.
After reading answer the following questions in
COMPLETE sentences.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Who is the protagonist of this story?
The author developed this character in many ways.
What did we find out about the character through the
author’s comments? Through his own actions and
words? Through the comments of other characters in
the story?
What type of conflict is found in this short story?
Explain the conflict.
Between what 2 characters is dialogue used? What
do we find out through their dialogue?
G. Suspense:
Uncertainty as to the outcome of the story.
H. Irony
A hint of sarcasm. A slight twist of what was
expected.
I. Point of View
The attitude and location of the author or
narrator towards the characters and conflicts
(the perspective).
a) First Person: a main character presents a
personal account of the episode (using “I” and
“we”).
b) Third Person: we look at it like we’re on the
outside looking in (using “he”, “she” and “it”)
• Limited omniscient (only know thoughts and
feelings of a single character).
• Omniscient (author knows the thoughts and
feelings of all the characters).
J. Theme
The central idea behind the story (not a
moral). Examples: friendship, death,
revenge, gangs, war, action, betrayal, etc.
Assignment #3
Read the story “A Wish Named Arnold” on
page 224. Answer the following questions:
1. Explain where you encounter suspense in the
story (more than one place).
2. Irony is portrayed in this story. What is ironic?
3. What point of view is this story written from?
4. There are three themes in this short story.
Name them.
5. In a paragraph (about 1/3 of the page) explain
what you would wish for, if you had ONE wish.
Give your reasons for choosing this wish and
explain how it would change you life. You
cannot wish for more wishes!
K. Mood
The emotional atmosphere of the story. For
example: dark and gloomy, scary, light
hearted, etc.
L. Foreshadowing
A hint that something will happen, which
later on actually does happen.
M. Flashback
A quick review of facts or past events. For
example: a character may daydream during
which many facts are revealed to us, or
summarized in a short space.
N. Narrator
A story is usually told by 1 person. That one
person could be:
• A character
• The author
• An uninvolved witness to the incident
O. Setting
The time and place in which the story
occurs.
P. Symbolism
A person, object, or act which stands for, or
suggests, something greater or deeper.
• The flag symbolizes loyalty
• The cross symbolizes the Christian
religion
• The dove symbolizes peace/love
Assignment #4
Before you read… look up the word veldt in
the dictionary and write down the meaning.
Read the short story “The Veldt” on page
248 of your Sightlines 8 anthology. When
you are finished answer the following
questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES!
1. Describe the setting of the story (don’t forget
location and time. If it doesn’t say directly, you
can make an estimate using details from the
story.
2. What is the mood of this story? Things to keep
in mind… is it sad? Happy? Tragic? Pathetic?
Suspenseful? Etc.?
3. The author used foreshadowing often in this
short story. Write down 3 examples.
4. Who is the narrator of the story?
5. What is the author’s message? (hint:
something about parents’ roles in their
children’s lives)