Introducing the Short Story
What Is a Short Story?
A short story is a kind of fiction that deals
with people, places, and events from the
writer’s imagination. The major difference
between the short story and other forms of
fiction is its length. A short story is short
enough to be read at one sitting. Therefore,
every detail in a short story is important. All
the elements of the story must work together
to communicate the writer’s main idea, or
theme. The most important of these
elements are setting, character, and plot.
Setting.Setting is the time and place of the
action of a story. It is the background
against which the events happen. The setting
helps to create the mood, or feeling, of the
story as a whole.
Character. A character is a person or animal
who takes part in the action of a work of
literature. The thoughts and actions of
characters are important to the development
of a story. Most stories have one main
character and one or more minor characters.
Plot. Plotis the sequence of events in a story,
the writer’s plan for what happens, when,
and to whom. The events in the story center
on the conflict faced by the main character.
The conflict builds until it reaches the
climax, or turning point, a high point of
interest or suspense. The resolution, or end,
of the conflict can either follow or happen at
the same time as the climax.
How To Read a Short Story
When reading a short story, keep in mind
that the writer wants to create an effect on
you, the reader. Pay close attention to the
setting, characters, and plot. Ask yourself
how these details bring out the main idea, or
theme, of the story.
Setting
What Is Setting?
Setting is the world created by the writer
of a story. All details related to the time and
place of the action are part of the setting.
These details include descriptions of
customs, clothing, scenery, weather,
geography, buildings, rooms, furniture, and
means of transportation.
The Functions of Setting
A writer creates a setting by using
sensory images. These images are words and
phrases that appeal to the five senses. The
images do two important things. First, they
help the reader to picture the place, the
period in history, and the time of day and
year. Second, they help to create the feeling,
or mood, of the story.
The importance of setting differs from
one story to another. In some stories, the
conflict, or struggle, is a direct result of the
setting. In other stories, such as in science
fiction, the setting is unusual and therefore
important for its own sake.
Thinking About Setting
As you read the selections in this section,
pay attention to details of time and place.
Read carefully every description of people,
places, and things. Picture these in your
mind. Ask yourself what feeling, or mood, is
created by the setting. Also ask yourself how
important setting is to the story and why it is
or is not very important.
Character
What Is a Character?
A character is a person or animal who
takes part in the action of a work of
literature. Characters react to the events that
take place in a story. Their thoughts,
feelings, and actions often are the same as
those of real-life people.
Types of Characters
The character who has the major role in a
short story is called the main character.
Usually, the main character takes part in a
conflict, or struggle, that is central to the
story. How the main character deals with the
conflict shows something important about
him or her.
The characters who play less important
roles in a story are called minor characters.
Often minor characters are simply part of
the background of the story. Sometimes they
affect the thoughts or actions of the main
character. Sometimes they add humor to the
story or help to advance the plot, or
sequence of events.
Thinking About Characters
As you read the stories in this section,
think about what makes the characters
speak, act, and think as they do. Pick out the
main character in each story. Then ask
yourself what conflict this character faces.
Also ask yourself what message, or theme,
becomes clear through the development and
resolution of this conflict.
Plot
What Is Plot?
A short story presents a series of
connected events. One event causes the next,
which causes the next, and so on. This series
of events is the plot of the story
The Structure of a Plot
A story begins with one or more
characters in a setting. The plot starts to
develop when the writer introduces a
conflict, or struggle, faced by the main
character. This conflict causes a series of
events to happen and builds to a climax, or
high point of interest. At the climax or
shortly after, something happens to resolve,
or end, the conflict.
In addition to the conflict, climax, and
resolution, the following techniques also
may be used In the development of a plot.
Foreshadowing. Foreshadowing is hinting
about some event that has not yet happened.
Flashback. A flashback is a part of a story
that breaks the sequence of events to tell
about an earlier conversation, scene, or
event.
Suspense. Suspense is a feeling of growing
tension and excitement felt by a reader as a
plot develops.
Surprise Ending. A surprise ending is an
unexpected twist in the plot at the end of a
story.
Thinking About plot
As you read each story in this section, ask
yourself, “How are the events in this story
connected?” Identify the event that
introduces conflict and the events that grow
out of this conflict. Identify the event that
brings the conflict to an end. Also look for
examples of foreshadowing, flashback,
suspense, and surprise ending.