(TUM) Thematic Unit: Memories - Short Stories Module Overview

Now that you have an understanding of the common short story elements, let's take a deeper look at the characters in a short story. In this unit, students will examine characters, points of view, and overall details that make up a short story. We will learn how to discuss and analyze character traits.

Essential Questions

1. What is narrative mode?
2. What points of view are used in short stories?
3. What is an allusion?

Key Terms

• 1st Person Narrator: tells the story using pronouns like I, me, my and is usually a major character in the story
• 3rd Person Spectator Narrator: tells the story using pronouns like he, she, and they, describes what he/she sees, and is usually a minor character in the story
• 3rd Person Omniscient: tells the story using pronouns like he, she, and they, is "all knowing," and has the ability to tell what all characters are thinking and to move forward and backwards in time
• 3rd Person Limited: tells the story using pronouns like he, she, and they while focusing on the thoughts and feelings of just one character
• Structure: the order or sequence of events in the telling of the story

• Chronological: the story is told in normal time sequence
• In Media Res: the story begins in the middle of an action, then returns to the beginning, and then continues in chronological order to its conclusion
• Flashback: the normal order of the story is interrupted to go back in time to provide necessary background information
• Protagonist: the main character in the story
• Antagonist: the person or force that opposes the protagonist
• Conflict: the struggle between the protagonist and the antagonist
• Internal Conflict: a struggle (often a moral, mental, or physical problem) within the protagonist
• External Conflict: a struggle between the protagonist and an outside person or force
• Setting: the specific time and place of the story
• Plot Development: the unfolding of events in the story
• Exposition: the part of the plot that provides necessary information at the beginning of the story (i.e. characterization, setting, start of conflict)
• Initial Incident: the part of the plot when the protagonist and antagonist meet
• Turning Point: the part of the plot in which an incident occurs that allows the climax to occur
• Climax: the part of the plot when either the antagonist or the protagonist wins or loses
• Denouement: the part of the plot after the climax when the details and loose ends are wrapped up
• Foreshadowing: a hint or suggestion to the reader about the outcome of the story's action
• Symbol: an object or sign that stands for more than itself
• Theme: the central idea that dominates the story or the observation or insight about life, human behavior, or the human condition revealed by the author through the story

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