Short Story Terms Short Story Terms and Notesand Notes

The madness continuesThe madness continues

Tone / MoodTone / Mood

This is the overall feeling created at the beginning of the story. This is a VERY important part of the Short Story, because it sets up the entire piece of writing. Mood could be scary, happy, suspenseful…whatever the writer wants to create.

Point of ViewPoint of View

The Point of View means how the story is being told. Whose ‘voice’ are you hearing?

There are three main types of POV used in short stories. Each of them can change the story entirely:

Narrative / 3Narrative / 3rdrd Person Person

The story is told by an ‘outside’ voice looking down on the action.

Narrator:“Every Who down in Whoville liked

Christmas a lot. But the Grinch…aah the Grinch did not!”

First PersonFirst Person

The story is told by a character.

Cindy Lou“Santa gave me a drink of water last

night, then took all my presents! I must admit. I’m disappointed. I think I’ll sing.”

Stream of ThoughtStream of Thought

The story is told as if you are in the mind of the main character…ooooh.

Grinch:Man…every year it’s the same thing! I

HATE that song! I’ve got to…hey, I have no pants! Oh, they are SO losing Christmas.

CharacterCharacter

There are two main types of character in short stories. The main character is called the protagonist. All the action in the story revolves around her / him.

The character that creates a conflict for the protagonist is called the antagonist.

And now…time to work!And now…time to work!