Short Story writing - Copy.ppt

7/27/2019 Short Story writing - Copy.ppt

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Writing a short story

Assignment

Prewriting

Find a Story IdeaPlan Your Story

Practice and Apply

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A short story is a work of fiction, but it can be basedon real events. Think about events

an earthquake; a heroic water rescue

Writing a Short Story

in the world

competing in a sports; welcoming a babybrother

in your life

an aunts wilderness adventure; aneighbors brush with stardom

in someone elses life


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Use your imagination for story ideas. Dream up

a quirky young princess; a man who sleepsstanding up


people and animals

a city in 2050; an icy planet

places and worlds

coming face to face with an tiger; openinga soup kitchen

adventures and problems

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Every story has five basic ingredients:

PlotWhat happens in the story?

CharactersWho are the people in your story?

Point ofView Who will narrate, or tell, yourstory?

SettingWhere and when does your story takeplace?

ThemeWhat idea about life does your storyillustrate?


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Plot

Build the plot of your short story around aconflict, a struggle between opposing forces.


External conflict Internal conflict


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Plot and External Conflicts


Character versus character

Hector and his best friend James are both trying for firstprize in the school talent show.

Character versus environment

Miguel gets caught in a blizzard and must find ways tostay warm until help arrives.

Character versus situation

Cynthia battles city hall to start a meal delivery service forseniors in her community.


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Plot and Internal Conflict


Character versus himself or herself (a struggle betweenconflicting ideas and feelings within a character)

David wants to take Tasha to the dance, but he has

already committed to babysitting that night.


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Climaxemotional high point of the story

Resolutionoutcome of conflict

Elements of Plot Expositionintroduction of characters and conflict

Rising actionevents leading to the climax

Exposition

Resolution

EventEvent

EventEvent

Climax



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a buzz in the auditorium; studentsfrom every grade filing in, carryingcostumes and props; Hector and Jameswaving to each other but sitting ondifferent sides of the room

Developing PlotUse narrative details to bring your story to life.Describe your characters

actions movements

gestures

feelings


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Event 2Hector and Jameskid about whosgoing to win.


Arranging Plot EventsArrange the events in chronological order, the orderin which they actually occur. Use flashbacks toprovide background information.

Event 1auditionday

Event 3Hectorrehearseshis act.

Event 4the bignight

FlashbackHector and James meet each other for the first time.


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The Pace of the PlotPace the action of your plot to reflect the mood

youre trying to create.

Hector practically drags his feet as he walks up to thecafeteria table to sit with James.

Slow pacetense but thoughtful mood

The curtains part. Hector takes deep breath. His heart poundsin his chest.

Fast pacefeeling of excitement or anxiety


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dark brown hair, tall and thin, neat, stylish

Writing a Short StoryPrewriting: Plan Your Story

proud of musical talent, serious, competitive

Characters Appearance

How does my main character look?

How does he or she act, think, feel, and talk?

taps his pencil, rubs his chin when thinking

What are his or her mannerisms?

Supporting Characters


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SettingSetting can play a major role in a short story, or it canbe relatively unimportant. Setting can also affectmood.


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a studentwarming up ontrumpet;

microphonefeedback;muffledconversations

Sounds Smells

faint hint ofwood cleaner;musty clothing

and mothballs; agirls strongperfume;hairspray

Sights

a jam-packedauditorium,students pacing

backstage, redvelvet stagecurtains

SettingUse sensory detailswords describing sights, sounds,and smellsto help readers picture the setting.


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As long as the spirit of competition does not turn bitter, goodfriends can compete with each other and still remain close. Theirfriendship might even become stronger.

ThemeWhat idea about life does your story illustrate? Useyour characters, plot, setting, and point of view tosuggest your theme.

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Hector walked into the crowded auditorium. The whole room was

buzzing with excitement. When Hector and his best friend Jamesspotted each other, they both tensed.

Interior Monologue

Point of ViewThird Person Omniscientan outside observer tellsthe story using third-person pronouns (he, she, they).This narrator sees all and knows all and can use

shifting perspectives to reveal different charactersthoughts, feelings, and attitudes.

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Short Story writing - Copy.ppt