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Short Stories

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Page 1: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Short Stories

Page 2: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Short story reviews

This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is to focus on the elements of a short story, so that you will have the tools to write your own short story. • Review One is due by the end of Week Two (Thursday 22

January). Submit through Moodle.• Review Two is due by the end of Week Four (Thursday 5

February). Submit through Moodle.

Page 3: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Writing a review• Using paragraph structure (PEEL), write a series of paragraphs about the

story, as follows:• In the first paragraph, write about the Plot, focusing on orientation,

rising action, conflict, climax, falling action, resolution. • In the second paragraph, write about Characterization. What direct and

what indirect information are we given about a character in the story? • In the third paragraph, write about sound devices. What sort of words

does the writer use? What is the effect of using these words? • In the fourth paragraph, write about visual devices What literary

devices does the writer use? What is the effect of using these devices? • In the fifth paragraph, write about other elements, such as point of

view, setting and theme used in the story.

• No need to write an introduction or conclusion.

Page 4: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Structural features of a short story• Orientation• Complication• Rising Action• Climax• Resolution

Page 5: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Writing an orientation• The purpose of the orientation is to introduce the major

character/s and the story’s setting. The style in which this information is given can vary from story to story

• Readers become engaged in stories if the setting is described realistically – appealing to the readers’ senses is the best way to do this

• The story can begin with dialogue, an action or a description of the setting

Page 6: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Activity 1• Choose one story from the book and answer the following

questions:1. How many characters are introduced in the orientation2. How does the story begin?3. Do we get an indication of what the story will be about?

(Signposting)4. Identify the point at which the complication arises. Explain

the change in dramatic tension at this point.

Page 7: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

The Complication• This is the point in the story at which tension increases. The

character/s are presented with a problem which needs to be solved.

• In a short story, this as often presented early on; sometimes the story can begin with the complication before setting the scene – a skilled writer can do this well

• Sometimes, a new character (antagonist) is introduced at this point.

Page 8: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

The Rising Action• Otherwise known as the squence of events, this part of the

narrative slowly builds in tension. In an attempt to resolve the problem, the protagonist faces a series of hurdles/barriers.

Page 9: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Activity• Consider a story revolving around a victim of bullying. Make a

list of the key events which lead up to the victim finally taking on the bully. Ensure that the tension rises through these events.

Page 10: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

The Climax• At this point in the story the tension is at its greatest. The

protagonist must confront the problem in an attempt to resolve this issue.

• A good story will have readers completely engaged during this point. A level of uncertainty may still hang over the protagonist.

Page 11: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

The Resolution• At this point of the story the protagonist has resolved the

problem. However, this can come in many forms – not always as the perfect ending.• Normality is reinstated• A lesson has been learnt• Hope is restored.

Page 12: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Order in a story

There are two orders of events in a story.1. The order in which the events happened (e.g. I saw the man,

I murdered him, I took his money, I hid his body, the police started investigating, I was arrested, I went to jail, I served my time, I spent his money).

2. The order in which the writer tells the story (e.g. I spend the money, im serving my time, the police start investigating the crime, I murdered the man, I hid the body, I saw the man, I took his money, I was arrested, I went to jail).

Page 13: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Flashbacks• The author interupts the story to describe something that

happened earlier

Page 14: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Types of conflict• Human versus Human• Human versus Nature• Human versus Society • Human versus Himself

Page 15: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is
Page 16: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Writing about Plot

At the beginning of the story, …When… happens, a sense of tension is introduced.The conflict, ……….., is an example of human versus ………., in which ……….The story becomes even more complicated when ……Eventually we see a climax when ….By the end of the story, the initial problem of …. has been resolved because ….

Page 17: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Characterisation

The reader learns about the characters:• Indirectly• Appearance (e.g. she had long blonde hair and red lipstick)• Actions (e.g. she leapt at the tiger)• Thoughts (e.g. I really want to help my brother)• How they speak (e.g. G’day mate!)• What other characters think of them (e.g. you cannot help me

because I don’t trust you).• Directly• How much the author tells the reader (Ali was the outstanding

swimmer in his class).

Page 18: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

The last cabinet• Who are the characters in this story?• What is your impression of the sarge?• What parts of the story helped you to gain that impression?• Why doesn’t the author use their names?

Page 19: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Writing about character

The reader learns about … through direct and indirect means. Firstly, ….The author tells the reader directly that …The reader learns that … is … because he looks like …Further, the reader learns that he is … when he says…When the character …, we know that this means …

Page 20: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Language – Sound devices

• Alliteration. Repetition of a consonant. (e.g. Can’t Kate cook without catastrophe?)

• Assonance. Repetition of a vowel sound. (e.g. Lou said coo to the moose Sue let loose.)

• Onomatopoeia. Use of words that sound like their meanings. (e.g. ‘Oomph,’ said the girl as she fell.

• Rhythm. The pattern of words in a sentence that gives the sentence a cadence. (e.g. Fast he ran, fast he ran, until he reached the end.)

• Allusion. A reference to literature or historical events that are part of our common cultural heritage. (e.g. He was as arrogant as Colonel Gaddafi.)

• Diction. This refers to the author’s choice of words. (e.g. A simple country girl might use simple, earthy words, whilst a sophisticated city girl might use complex words.)

• Tone. Tone reflects the author's attitude toward the story. (e.g. The story might be reflective, sad, encouraging, horrifying…)

Page 21: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Writing about language

The word that best describes the writer’s language is … The diction is appropriate to the theme because … The effect of this language is to … The use of sound devices has the effect of … By using the allusion to …, the writer heightens our understanding of … because … Words such as …, … and … suggest the author’s tone is one of …

Page 22: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Language - Visual devicesWriters use visual devices to make their stories vivid.• Imagery. Words that appeal to the senses: sight, smell, sound, taste, and

touch. (e.g. The rose garden swamped his senses with its lush colours, enticing fragrances and cool air.)

• Figurative language. Using words in a non-literal way. (e.g. Fatima ate her words.)

• Simile. Comparison of two dissimilar things with "like" or "as." (e.g. She sang like an angel.)

• Metaphors. Suggesting one thing is another. (e.g. She was an angel.)• Hyperbole. Using exaggeration. (e.g. He was the best story-teller who ever

lived.)• Understatement. Underscored statement with a seeming lack of

emphasis. (e.g. A large building collapses, killing 100 people. One person survives, and he says, “I guess I was a little bit lucky.”)

• A symbol is a person, a place, an activity, or an object that stands for something beyond itself.

Page 23: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Writing about visual devices

The striking use of the simile … has the effect of … By personifying …, the author is linking … to … In the metaphor …, the author is comparing … to …, in order to emphasise … The author repeatedly refers to … because he wants to symbolize … The lack of symbolic language has the effect of …

Page 24: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Point of View • who tells the story• the camera lens through which the story is seen.• determines how much we, the readers, know about the characters1st Person: “I” tells the story.• Narrator is a character in the story.• Narrator uses first-person pronouns: I, me, my, we, us, our.• Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of his/her character and speaks directly to

the reader.3rd Person Limited: he, she or it tells the story.• Narrator is a character in the story.• Readers see whatever he/she sees and nothing else.• Readers listen in to the thoughts and feelings of the narrator. • Readers feel they are a more distant from the character than 1st Person.

3rd Person Omniscient• Narrator knows everything.• Narrator can jump from one character to another character.• Readers are told the thoughts and feelings of any characters the narrator chooses.

Page 25: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Setting• The setting is the time and the place of the story.• Setting places the reader in the story (usually in the orientation but may

be extended.)• Backdrop. The setting is not vital to the action of the story. (e.g. a school

story could be set in almost any school.)• An essential part of the plot. The story could only happen here. (e.g. in

deep space.)• Acts as antagonist. The setting is against the protagonist (e.g. a steep,

snow-covered mountain.)• Illuminates the character (e.g. a person who normally stays at home all

the time finds himself in a forest, where he has to deal with strange dangers.

• Symbolic. (e.g. the setting is on the sea, which is as strong and relentless as the character.)

• creates atmosphere by the positive or negative feelings associated with the place.

Page 26: Short Stories. Short story reviews This term you are to write reviews of two stories in the collection entitled Top Stories 2. The purpose of this is

Theme

• In literature, theme is an idea about life or human nature.• In most cases, the theme is not stated directly but must

be inferred.• Themes can be revealed by:• a story’s title.• key phrases and statements about big ideas.

• the ways the characters change and the lessons they learn about life.