SHORT STORY FROM HISTORY TO ELEMENTS

compilation of short story informations
from history down to elements

97 - 2003 format

2. Short stories date back to oral story-telling traditions Short stories date back to oral story-telling traditions
which originally produced epics such which originally produced epics such
as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Oral narratives were as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Oral narratives were
often told in the form of rhyming or rhythmic verse, often told in the form of rhyming or rhythmic verse,
often including recurring sections or, in the case of often including recurring sections or, in the case of
Homer, Homeric epithets. Such stylistic devices often Homer, Homeric epithets. Such stylistic devices often
acted as mnemonics for easier recall, rendition and acted as mnemonics for easier recall, rendition and
adaptation of the story. Short sections of verse might adaptation of the story. Short sections of verse might
focus on individual narratives that could be told at focus on individual narratives that could be told at
one sitting. The overall arc of the tale would emerge one sitting. The overall arc of the tale would emerge
only through the telling of multiple such sections.only through the telling of multiple such sections.

3. There are early examples of short stories published separately between 1790 There are early examples of short stories published separately between 1790
and 1810, but the first true collections of short stories appeared between 1810 and 1810, but the first true collections of short stories appeared between 1810
and 1830 in several countries around the same period.and 1830 in several countries around the same period.
The first short stories in the United Kingdom were gothic tales like Richard The first short stories in the United Kingdom were gothic tales like Richard
Cumberland's "remarkable narrative" "The Poisoner of Montremos" Cumberland's "remarkable narrative" "The Poisoner of Montremos"
(1791). Great novelists like Sir Walter Scott and Charles Dickens also wrote (1791). Great novelists like Sir Walter Scott and Charles Dickens also wrote
some short stories.some short stories.
One of the earliest short stories in the United States was Charles Brockden One of the earliest short stories in the United States was Charles Brockden
Brown's "Somnambulism" from 1805. Washington Irving wrote mysterious Brown's "Somnambulism" from 1805. Washington Irving wrote mysterious
tales including "Rip van Winkle" (1819) and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" tales including "Rip van Winkle" (1819) and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
(1820). Nathaniel Hawthorne published the first part of his (1820). Nathaniel Hawthorne published the first part of his Twice-Told TalesTwice-Told Tales in in
1837. Edgar Allan Poe wrote his tales of mystery and imagination between 1842 1837. Edgar Allan Poe wrote his tales of mystery and imagination between 1842
and 1859. Classic stories are "The Fall of the House of Usher", "The Tell-Tale and 1859. Classic stories are "The Fall of the House of Usher", "The Tell-Tale
Heart", "The Cask of Amontillado", "The Pit and the Pendulum", and the Heart", "The Cask of Amontillado", "The Pit and the Pendulum", and the
first detective story, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue". In "The Philosophy of first detective story, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue". In "The Philosophy of
Composition" (1846) Poe argued that a literary work should be short enough Composition" (1846) Poe argued that a literary work should be short enough
for a reader to finish in one sitting.for a reader to finish in one sitting.

4. In the latter 19th century, the growth of print magazines In the latter 19th century, the growth of print magazines
and journals created a strong demand for short fiction of and journals created a strong demand for short fiction of
between 3,000 and 15,000 words.between 3,000 and 15,000 words.
In the United Kingdom Thomas Hardy wrote dozens of In the United Kingdom Thomas Hardy wrote dozens of
short stories, including "The Three Strangers" (1883), "A short stories, including "The Three Strangers" (1883), "A
Mere Interlude" (1885) and "Barbara of the House of Grebe" Mere Interlude" (1885) and "Barbara of the House of Grebe"
(1890). Rudyard Kipling published short story collections (1890). Rudyard Kipling published short story collections
for grown-ups, e.g. Plain Tales from the Hills(1888), as well for grown-ups, e.g. Plain Tales from the Hills(1888), as well
as for children, e.g. The Jungle Book (1894). In 1892 Arthur as for children, e.g. The Jungle Book (1894). In 1892 Arthur
Conan Doyle brought the detective story to a new height Conan Doyle brought the detective story to a new height
with The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. H. G. with The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. H. G.
Wells wrote his first science fiction stories in the 1880s. Wells wrote his first science fiction stories in the 1880s.
One of his best known "The Country of the Blind" (1904).One of his best known "The Country of the Blind" (1904).

5. In the United Kingdom periodicals like The Strand Magazine, The In the United Kingdom periodicals like The Strand Magazine, The
Sketch, Harper's Magazine and Story-Teller contributed to the Sketch, Harper's Magazine and Story-Teller contributed to the
popularity of the short story. Hector Hugh Munro (1870–1916), also popularity of the short story. Hector Hugh Munro (1870–1916), also
known by his pen name of Saki, wrote satirical short stories known by his pen name of Saki, wrote satirical short stories
about Edwardian England.W. Somerset Maugham, who wrote over a about Edwardian England.W. Somerset Maugham, who wrote over a
hundred short stories, was one of the most popular authors of his hundred short stories, was one of the most popular authors of his
time. P. G. Wodehouse published his first collection of comical stories time. P. G. Wodehouse published his first collection of comical stories
about butler Jeeves in 1917. Lots of detective stories were written by G. about butler Jeeves in 1917. Lots of detective stories were written by G.
K. Chesterton, Agatha Christie en Dorothy L. Sayers. Short stories K. Chesterton, Agatha Christie en Dorothy L. Sayers. Short stories
by Virginia Woolf are Kew Gardens (1919) and Solid Objects, about a by Virginia Woolf are Kew Gardens (1919) and Solid Objects, about a
politician with mental problems. Graham Greene wrote his Twenty-politician with mental problems. Graham Greene wrote his Twenty-
One Stories between 1929 and 1954. A specialist of the short story One Stories between 1929 and 1954. A specialist of the short story
was V. S. Pritchett, whose first collection appeared in 1932. Arthur C. was V. S. Pritchett, whose first collection appeared in 1932. Arthur C.
Clarke published his first science fiction story, Travel by Wire! in 1937.Clarke published his first science fiction story, Travel by Wire! in 1937.
In Ireland James Joyce published his short story In Ireland James Joyce published his short story
collection Dubliners in 1914. These stories, written in a more collection Dubliners in 1914. These stories, written in a more
accessible style than his later novels, are based on careful observation accessible style than his later novels, are based on careful observation
of the inhabitants of his birth city.of the inhabitants of his birth city.

6. The period following World War II saw a great flowering of The period following World War II saw a great flowering of
literary short fiction in the United States. The New literary short fiction in the United States. The New
Yorker continued to publish the works of the form’s leading Yorker continued to publish the works of the form’s leading
mid-century practitioners, including Shirley Jackson, whose mid-century practitioners, including Shirley Jackson, whose
story, The Lottery, published in 1948, elicited the strongest story, The Lottery, published in 1948, elicited the strongest
response in the magazine’s history to that time. Other response in the magazine’s history to that time. Other
frequent contributors during the last 1940s included John frequent contributors during the last 1940s included John
Cheever, John Steinbeck, Jean Stafford, and Eudora Cheever, John Steinbeck, Jean Stafford, and Eudora
Welty. J. D. Salinger's Nine Stories (1953) experimented Welty. J. D. Salinger's Nine Stories (1953) experimented
with point of view and voice, while Flannery O’Connor's with point of view and voice, while Flannery O’Connor's
story A Good Man is Hard to Find (1955) reinvigorated the story A Good Man is Hard to Find (1955) reinvigorated the
Southern Gothic style. Cultural and social identity played a Southern Gothic style. Cultural and social identity played a
considerable role in much of the short fiction of the considerable role in much of the short fiction of the
1960s. Philip Roth and Grace Paley cultivated distinctive 1960s. Philip Roth and Grace Paley cultivated distinctive
Jewish-American voices. Jewish-American voices.

7. Tillie Olsen’s I Stand Here Ironing (1961) adopted a Tillie Olsen’s I Stand Here Ironing (1961) adopted a
consciously feminist perspective. James Baldwin’s consciously feminist perspective. James Baldwin’s
collection Going to Meet the Man (1965) told stories of collection Going to Meet the Man (1965) told stories of
African-American life. Frank O’Connor’s The Lonely African-American life. Frank O’Connor’s The Lonely
Voice, an exploration of the short story, appeared in Voice, an exploration of the short story, appeared in
1963. Wallace Stegner's short stories are primarily set in 1963. Wallace Stegner's short stories are primarily set in
the American West. Stephen King published a lot of short the American West. Stephen King published a lot of short
stories in men's magazines in the 1960s and after. The stories in men's magazines in the 1960s and after. The
1970s saw the rise of the post-modern short story in the 1970s saw the rise of the post-modern short story in the
works of Donald Barthelme and John Barth. Traditionalists works of Donald Barthelme and John Barth. Traditionalists
including John Updike and Joyce Carol Oates maintained including John Updike and Joyce Carol Oates maintained
significant influence on the form. Minimalism gained significant influence on the form. Minimalism gained
widespread influence in the 1980s, most notably in the widespread influence in the 1980s, most notably in the
work of Raymond Carver and Ann Beattie.work of Raymond Carver and Ann Beattie.

8. What parts make up a story?

9. Plot
Setting
Characters
Theme
Point of View

10. Plot is what happens and how it Plot is what happens and how it
happens in a narrative. A happens in a narrative. A
narrative is any work that tells a narrative is any work that tells a
story, such as a short story, a story, such as a short story, a
novel, a drama, or a narrative novel, a drama, or a narrative
poem.poem.

11. Exposition – event that gives rise to conflict
(opening situation)
Rising Action- events that complicate or intensify
the central conflict (rising action)
Climax- highest point of interest or emotional
involvement in the story
Falling Action- logical result of Climax
Resolution- Final outcome of the story

12. Conflict
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax (often called the “Turning Point)
Falling Action
Resolution

13. Suspense- excitement or tension
Foreshadowing- hint or clue about what will happen
in story
Flashback- interrupts the normal sequence of events
to tell about something that happened in the past
Surprise Ending- conclusion that reader does not
expect (use of irony)

14. Conflict is a struggle between opposing forcesConflict is a struggle between opposing forces
Every plot must contain some kind of conflictEvery plot must contain some kind of conflict
Stories can have more than one conflictStories can have more than one conflict
Conflicts can be external or internalConflicts can be external or internal
External conflict- outside force may be person, group, External conflict- outside force may be person, group,
animal, nature, or a nonhuman obstacleanimal, nature, or a nonhuman obstacle
Internal conflict- takes place in a character’s mindInternal conflict- takes place in a character’s mind

15. CONFLICT BASES
Man vs. Man Physical
Man vs. Himself Psychological
Man vs. God Spiritual
Man vs. Universe Intellectual
Man vs. Society Moral/Social
Man vs. Environment Intellectual
Man vs. Nature Intellectual

16. Protagonist
Antagonist
Major Characters
Minor
Characters

17. Types of Characters Meaning
Protagonist The Main Character
Antagonist The Character or force in
conflict with the Protagonist
Major A character who plays a large
role in the out come of the
story
Minor A character who plays a small
role in the out come of the
story

18. Ways Description
Dynamic Grows and changes in some
significant manner by the end of
the story
Static Changes a little or none through
out the story
Round Character shows many different
traits, like faults and virtues.
Flat We only know the character as one
type of person – we only meet one
side.

19. Character
Main
Flat
Minor
Not Fully
Developed
FriendsRelatives
Fully
Developed
Protagonist
AntagonistCo-Main
Enemy
Others
Round
Flat

20. A writer reveals what a character is like and how A writer reveals what a character is like and how
the character changes throughout the story.the character changes throughout the story.
Two primary methods of characterization:Two primary methods of characterization:
Direct-Direct- writer tells what the character is like writer tells what the character is like
IndirectIndirect-- writer shows what a character is like by writer shows what a character is like by
describing what the character looks like, by telling describing what the character looks like, by telling
what the character says and does, and by what other what the character says and does, and by what other
characters say about and do in response to the characters say about and do in response to the
character.character.

21. …And I don’t play the dozens or believe
in standing around with somebody in my face
doing a lot of talking. I much rather just
knock you down and take my chances even if
I’m a little girl with skinny arms and a
squeaky voice, which is how I got the name
Squeaky.
From “Raymond’s Run” by T. Bambara

22. The old man bowed to all of us
in the room. Then he removed his
hat and gloves, slowly and carefully.
Chaplin once did that in a picture,
in a bank--he was the janitor.
From “Gentleman of Rio en Medio” by J. Sedillo

23. A writer reveals what a character is like and how A writer reveals what a character is like and how
the character changes throughout the story.the character changes throughout the story.
Two primary types of character:Two primary types of character:
Flat-Flat- reveals only one or two traits. reveals only one or two traits.
RoundRound-- reveals varied and sometimes contradictory reveals varied and sometimes contradictory
traits.traits.

24. Physical appearance of character
Personality
Background/personal history
Motivation
Relationships
Conflict
Does character change?

25. Details that describe:Details that describe:
FurnitureFurniture
SceneryScenery
CustomsCustoms
TransportationTransportation
ClothingClothing
DialectsDialects
WeatherWeather
Time of dayTime of day
Time of yearTime of year
TimeTime and and placeplace are where the action are where the action
occursoccurs

26. Setting
Place
Atmosphere
Time
History
EraLife
Mood
Weather
Feelings
Word
Choice
Location
Physical
Day
Use as activator to activate prior knowledge. Write
the web on the board or overhead and students
create one at their seats. Then as class share and fill
in.

27. To create a mood or
atmosphere
To show a reader a
different way of life
To make action seem
more real
To be the source of
conflict or struggle
To symbolize an idea

28. A central message, concern, or
insight into life expressed through a
literary work
Can be expressed by one or two
sentence statement about human
beings or about life
May be stated directly or implied
Interpretation uncovers the theme

29. “Every man needs to feel allegiance to
his native country, whether he always
appreciates that country or not.”
From “A Man Without a Country” by Edward Hale
pg. 185 in Prentice Hall Literature book

30. In the objective point of view, the writer
tells what happens without stating more
than can be inferred from the story's
action and dialogue.
The narrator never tells the reader
anything about what the characters thinks
or feels, and remains a detached observer
of the story.

31. A.)Third Person Point – of – View
a.Omniscient
b.Objective
c.Central Intelligence

32. The word omniscient is derived from Latin and consists of two
parts: Omni-which simply means “all” or “everywhere”
and scire which means “to know”. This word is often used to refer
to God’s ability to know everything, even that which is hidden
from humans.
If you use this point of view of a short story, you take that
elevated position of knowing everything. Therefore, when you tell
the story, you even grant the reader access to the characters’
thoughts and other things that the characters cannot discern. You
are not limited by your characters’ inabilities or lack of
discernment.

33. To be objective means to be unbiased
and unaffected by personal thoughts or
opinions. Thus, in this point of view of
a short story, the writer presents facts
and events as they happen and does not
concentrate on a character’s thoughts or
opinions.

34. The story is told from the view of one
character i.e. the main character. We
see the setting through his eyes. We see
and note the characters in the manner
that he sees them. We feel his fears and
anxieties. Indeed, we have full access
to his thoughts, emotions and
imaginations.

35. B.)First Person Point – of – View
a.Interior Monologue
b.Dramatic Dialogue

36. You as the author,
concentrates on the
character’s thoughts… As the
name suggest, the character
speaks all to herself. The
story occurs all in her mind.

37. In this point of view of a short story,
the character speaks to others. This
is the most common type of first
person point-of-view of a short
story. It usually results in a simple
style.

38. Not very common
this, but it does sure
make you feel part of
the action!