Read the lesson note and instructions about your assignment.

Lit 11

SF-Week 1 & 2

Nov. 11-21, 2020

1.  Fiction: Short stories

A.         Types and Genre

B.         Elements of short stories

C.         Maritime short stories /Nautical Fiction

D.         Critical Analysis of short stories

Collections:

https://www.historicnavalfiction.com/book-title-index/short-stories

2. Analysis of Maritime Short Stories

A.         Short stories  sample to be discussed for comprehension

 -          Capt. Philips

 -          Moby Dick

-           The old man and the sea

-           Perfect storm

B.         Learning buddies’ (short story analysis)

N.B.  * Sea mishaps archived (documentary), including personal journals, could also be
used here to emphasize their relevance to the crafting of maritime
regulations/conventions.

*The greek myths relevant to the adoption of names for celestial bodies may be covered
here.
-           North star (Polaris)

-           Big Dipper

GOALS:

Determine the types, genre and elements of short stories.

Follow the steps in analyzing short stories.

Critically analyze short stories. (based on list provided)

FICTION:

Short Fiction Forms: Novella, Novelette, Short Story, and Flash Fiction Defined

When it comes to fiction, a short narrative can be found in many forms, from a slim
book to just a few sentences. Short fiction forms can generally be broken down based
on word count. The guidelines in this article can help you understand how short fiction
is commonly defined. There are, however, no exact universal rules that everyone agrees
upon, especially when it comes to flash fiction. When submitting your work for
publication or contest entry, you should follow the specifications or submission
guidelines. With that in mind, here's a list of short fiction forms and their definitions.

Novella

A work of fiction between 20,000 and 49,999 words is considered a novella. Once a book
hits the 50,000 word mark, it is generally considered a novel. (However, a standard novel
is around 80,000 words, so books between 50,000 to 79,999 words may be called short
novels.) A novella is the longest of the short fiction forms, granting writers freedom for
an expanded story, descriptions, and cast of characters, but still keeping the condensed
intensity of a short story. Modern trends generally seem to be moving away from
publishing novellas. Novellas are more commonly published as eBooks in specific
genres, especially romance, sci-fi, and fantasy.

Novelette

A novelette falls in the range of 7,500 to 19,999 words. The term once implied a book
that had a romantic or sentimental theme, but today a novelette can be any genre.
While some writers still use the term novelette, others might prefer to simply call it a
short novella or long short story. Like the novella, a novelette may be difficult to pitch to
an agent, but might work better as an eBook in niche genres.

Short story

Short stories fall in the range of about 1,000 to 7,499 words. Due to its brevity, the narrative in a
short story is condensed, usually only focusing on a single incident and a few characters at most. A
short story is self-contained and is not part of a series. When a number of stories are written as a
series it's called a story sequence. Short stories are commonly published in magazines and
anthologies, or as collections by an individual author.

Flash fiction

Flash fiction is generally used as an umbrella term that refers to super short fiction of
1,000 words or less, but still provides a compelling story with a plot (beginning, middle,
and end), character development, and usually a twist or surprise ending. The exact
length of flash fiction isn't set, but is determined by the publisher.

Types of flash fiction

There are many new terms that further define flash fiction. For example, terms like short
shorts and sudden fiction are used to describe longer forms of flash fiction that are
more than 500 words, while microfiction refers to the shortest forms of flash fiction, at
300 to 400 words or less. Here are some of the types of flash fiction:
 

1. Sudden fiction/Short short stories

The terms sudden fiction and short short stories refer to longer pieces of flash fiction,
around 750 to 1,000 words. However, the definition varies and may include pieces up to
2,000 words, such as in the series that helped popularize the form, Sudden Fiction and
New Sudden Fiction.

2. Postcard fiction

Postcard fiction is just what it sounds like—a story that could fit on a postcard. It's
typically around 250 words, but could be as much as 500 or as few as 25. An image
often accompanies the text to create the feeling of looking at a postcard, with the
reader turning it over to read the inscription on the back.

3. Microfiction/Nanofiction

Microfiction and nanofiction describe the shortest forms of flash fiction, including
stories that are 300 words or less. Microfiction includes forms such as drabble, dribble,
and six-word stories.

4. Drabble

Drabble is a story of exactly 100 words (not including the title). Just because the form is
short doesn't mean you can skimp on the basics of a good story. It should have a
beginning, middle, and end, and include conflict and resolution. You can read examples
of drabbles at 100WordStory.org.

5. Dribble/Mini-saga

When writing a drabble isn't challenging enough, you can try your hand at writing a
dribble, which is a story told in exactly 50 words.
 

6. Six-word stories

Ready to boil down a story and squeeze out its essence? Try writing a six-word story. It's
not easy, but it's possible to write a complete story with conflict and resolution in six
words, according to flash fiction enthusiasts. The most well-know example of a six-word
story, often misattributed to Ernest Hemingway, is, "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
The story evokes deep emotion, causing the reader to ponder the circumstances that
brought the character to post the advertisement. You can read more examples of six-
word stories on Narrative Magazine's website (with a free account), which are more
carefully selected, or you can browse user-submitted stories on Reddit. Some authors
also write flash nonfiction, composing six-word memoirs.

SOURCE: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/identifying-your-
genre/7125/short-fiction-forms-novella-novelette-short-story-and-flash-fiction-defined

WHAT IS A SHORT STORY:

A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and
focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of
evoking a single effect or mood.

It is  brief fictional prose narrative that is shorter than a novel and that usually deals with
only a few characters. https://www.britannica.com/art/short-story

The short story is usually concerned with a single effect conveyed in only one or a few
significant episodes or scenes. The form encourages economy of setting, concise
narrative, and the omission of a complex plot; character is disclosed in action and
dramatic encounter but is seldom fully developed. Despite its relatively limited scope,
though, a short story is often judged by its ability to provide a “complete” or satisfying
treatment of its characters and subject.

Before the 19th century the short story was not generally regarded as a distinct literary
form. But although in this sense it may seem to be a uniquely modern genre, the fact is
that short prose fiction is nearly as old as language itself. Throughout history humankind
has enjoyed various types of brief narratives: jests, anecdotes, studied digressions, short
allegorical romances, moralizing fairy tales, short myths, and abbreviated historical
legends. None of these constitutes a short story as it has been defined since the 19th
century, but they do make up a large part of the milieu from which the modern short
story emerged. https://www.britannica.com/art/short-story

Novel Versus Short Story: Length

The length of a story is the most obvious difference between a short story and a novel.
Length can help you determine which you are writing: Does your story need the room of
a novel to be told properly, or is it able to be quickly wrapped up?

Word count. Broadly speaking, a short story is any work of narrative fiction from 1,000
to 10,000 words. Novels, by contrast, tend to be around 50,000 to 70,000 words, though
of course there are plenty of examples of novels that are longer or shorter than those
arbitrary guidelines. Generally speaking, though, a good short story is designed to be
read in a single sitting or a day, while a novel is meant to occupy the reader for a longer
period of time, like days, weeks, or even months.

Type of story. What really drives the length of the story? That depends on your idea.
Generally speaking, a longer story requires a larger or more complex idea to sustain that
length. The story of a trip to your grandmother’s for dinner may make a fine subject for
a short story.

Amount of time. In general, short stories tend to cover events of a shorter time period
than novels. But that’s not always the case, Chekhov, for instance, wrote many stories
that feel more like compact novels, covering years of time in just a few, tightly written
pages. (Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian playwright and short-story writer
who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short fiction in history.)

Novel Versus Short Story: Complexity

Involves consideration of : extensive backstory to make sense to the reader , revolve
around a single event or a complex series of incidents, ( many) subplots or digressions
necessary to convey the full sweep of the story, more information you need to convey
for the story to resonate.

Subplots. Another way to think about the difference between stories and novels has to
do with the complexity of the story. A short story tends to take less time, following just a
single thread, and rarely features more than a single subplot. A novel, by contrast, might
burst with subplots.

Setting. Introducing your reader to a new setting can take a lot of time. If you’re writing
in a historical time period, or building a new world as you might if you are writing
science fiction, you’ll probably need to write more exposition than a story that is set in
the present moment and in a familiar place.

Number of characters. Novels often have larger casts of highly developed characters.
Short stories generally feature fewer characters or even just one main character.

Points of view. What is the point of view ?—Does it switch points of view over the
course of a short story? Is the switch from first to third necessary to sustain the interest
of the readers and not wear them out? 

SOURCE: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/short-story-vs-novel

What Is Genre?

Genre is a style or category of art, music, or literature. As an author, genre controls what
you write and how you write it. It describes the style and focus of the novel you write.
Genres give you blueprints for different types of stories. https://www.writerswrite.co.za

TYPES OF SHORT STORY  GENRE:

There are general rules to follow, for example, manuscript length, character types,
settings, themes, viewpoint choices, and plots. Certain settings suit specific genres.
These will vary in type, details, intensity, and length of description. The tone employed
by the author, and the mood created for the reader, must also suit the genre.

There are often sub-genres within genres, for example, a fantasy story with sinister,
frightening elements would belong to the dark fantasy sub-genre.

Why Does Genre Matter?

Genres are great because they fulfil reader expectations..

Writers can use this to their advantage because their boundaries are models on which to
base stories. Genres reflect trends in society and they evolve when writers push the
boundaries. 

 
The 17 Most Popular Genres In Fiction

Romance. These stories are about a romantic relationship between two people. They
are characterised by sensual tension, desire, and idealism. The author keeps the two
apart for most of the novel, but they do eventually end up together.  There are many
sub-genres, including paranormal, historical, contemporary, category, fantasy, and
Gothic.

Action Adventure. Any story that puts the protagonist in physical danger, characterised
by thrilling near misses, and courageous and daring feats, belongs to this genre. It is fast
paced, the tension mounting as the clock ticks. There is always a climax that offers the
reader some relief.

Science Fiction. This genre incorporates any story set in the future, the past, or other
dimensions. The story features scientific ideas and advanced technological concepts.
Writers must be prepared to spend time building new worlds and using genre-specific
words. The setting should define the plot. There are many science fiction sub-genres.
There are also many tropes in the genre.

Fantasy. These stories deal with kingdoms as opposed to sci-fi, which deals with
universes. Writers must spend plenty of time on world building. Myths, otherworldly
magic-based concepts, and ideas characterise these books. They frequently take cues
from historical settings like The Dark Ages. There are also plenty of sub-genres here.
There is also a specific terminology and many tropes in the genre and: 101 Fantasy
Tropes For Writers

Speculative Fiction. These stories are created in worlds unlike our real world in certain
important ways. This genre usually overlaps one or more of the following: science
fiction, fantasy fiction, horror fiction, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and
dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history.

Suspense/Thriller. A character in jeopardy dominates these stories. This genre involves

pursuit and escape. It is filled with cliffhangers and there are one or more ‘dark’
characters that the protagonist must escape from, fight against, or best in the story. The
threats to the protagonist can be physical or psychological, or both. The setting is
integral to the plot. This is often described as a gripping read. A Techno Thriller is a sub-
genre.
Young Adult. Young Adult (YA) books are written, published, and marketed to
adolescents and young adults. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
defines a young adult as someone between the ages of 12 and 18, but adults also read
these books. These are generally coming-of-age stories, and often cross into the fantasy
and science fiction genres. YA novels feature diverse protagonists facing changes and
challenges. This genre has become more popular with the success of novels like The
Hunger Games, The Fault in Our Stars, and Twilight.

New Adult. New Adult (NA) books feature college, rather than school-aged, characters
and plotlines. It is the next age-category up from YA. It explores the challenges and
uncertainties of leaving home and living independently for the first time. Many NA
books focus on sex, blurring the boundary between romance and erotica.

Horror/Paranormal/Ghost. These are high-pitched scary stories involving pursuit and

escape. The protagonist must overcome supernatural or demonic beings. Occult is a
sub-genre that always uses satanic-type antagonists.

Mystery/Crime. These are also known as ‘whodunits’. The central issue is a question

that must be answered, an identity revealed, a crime solved. This novel is characterised
by clues leading to rising tension as the answer to the mystery is approached. There are
many sub-genres in this category.

Police Procedurals are mysteries that involve a police officer or detective solving the
crime. The emphasis rests heavily on technological or forensic aspects of police work,
sorting and collecting evidence, as well as the legal aspects of criminology.

Historical. These fictional stories take place against factual historical backdrops.

Important historical figures are portrayed as fictional characters. Historical Romance is a
sub-genre that involves a conflicted love relationship in a factual historical setting. 

Westerns. These books are specifically set in the old American West. Plotlines include
survival, romance, and adventures with characters of the time, for example, cowboys,
frontiersmen, Indians, mountain men, and miners. 

Family Saga. This genre is about on-going stories of two or more generations of a
family. Plots revolve around things like businesses, acquisition, properties, adventures,
and family curses. By their nature, these are primarily historical, often bringing the
resolution in contemporary settings. There is usually a timeline involved in these books.

Women’s Fiction. These plot lines are characterised by female characters who face
challenges, difficulties, and crises that have a direct relationship to gender. This is
inclusive of woman’s conflict with man, though not limited to that. It can include conflict
with things such as the economy, family, society, art, politics, and religion.

Magic Realism. Magical events are part of ordinary life in this genre. The characters do
not see them as abnormal or unusual. They are a natural part of the story. One Hundred
Years of Solitude is a classic in this genre.

Literary Fiction. This genre focuses on the human condition and it is more concerned
with the inner lives of characters and themes than plot. Literary fiction is difficult to sell
and continues to decline in popularity.

Maritime Fiction. Nautical fiction, frequently also naval fiction, sea fiction, naval
adventure fiction or maritime fiction, is a genre of literature with a setting on or near the
sea, that focuses on the human relationship to the sea and sea voyages and highlights
nautical culture in these environments.

https://www.scifibloggers.com/is-genre-writing-literature/#.Vpe8Nfl96_5
 

 
 

HOW to ANALYZE a SHORT STORY?

Writing a Critical Analysis of a Short Story

Sourced from https://www.mun.ca/writingcentre/resources/modelessay/index.php

To write an effective critical analysis, you must first be sure that you understand the
question that has been posed, and all literary terms that you have been asked to
address. Once you feel you understand the question, reread the piece of literature,
making notes. Then look at the notes you've made, consider what connections you can
make between observations, and reconsider the question. Try to formulate a rough
thesis statement (your "claim"). Now try to select those pieces of evidence that you feel
you can most convincingly use to support the claim you made. Next, try to formulate a
good introduction, that

names the work discussed and the author.

provides a very brief plot summary.

relates some aspect of that plot to the topic you have chosen to address.

provides a thesis statement.

indicates the way you plan to develop your argument (support your claim).

Now proceed to introduce and discuss the evidence you mentioned in your
introduction, in the order in which you mentioned it. Ensure that you deal with each kind
of evidence in a paragraph of its own, and that you introduce the topic of each
paragraph with a carefully-focused topic sentence. Also ensure that you end each
paragraph with a concluding sentence that sums up the thrust of that paragraph's
argument and possibly paves the way for the next piece of evidence to be discussed.
(Alternatively, you can begin the next paragraph with a transitional phrase that links the
new piece of evidence with the one you have just summarized.)

Finally, write a conclusion that restates your thesis (but using different words),
incorporates a brief restatement of your key evidence, and provides a sense of closure.
A good closing technique is to somehow link the claim you have made about this
particular piece of literature with the author's general style or preoccupations, or to
suggest some way in which the topic you have just discussed relates more generally to
some aspect of human existence.

VISIT the link above to check for sample.

HERE IS ANOTHER WAY OF ANALYZING…a simplier one!:)

How to Analyze a Short Story

What Is a Short Story?

A short story is a work of short, narrative prose that is usually centered around
one single event. It is limited in scope and has an introduction, body and
conclusion. Although a short story has much in common with a novel (See How to
Analyze a Novel), it is written with much greater precision. You will often be asked
to write a literary analysis. An analysis of a short story requires basic knowledge of
literary elements. The following guide and questions may help you:

Setting

Setting is a description of where and when the story takes place. In a short story
there are fewer settings compared to a novel. The time is more limited. Ask
yourself the following questions:

How is the setting created? Consider geography, weather, time of day, social conditions,
etc.

What role does setting play in the story? Is it an important part of the plot or theme? Or
is it just a backdrop against which the action takes place?

Study the time period, which is also part of the setting, and ask yourself the following:

 
When was the story written?

Does it take place in the present, the past, or the future?

How does the time period affect the language, atmosphere or social circumstances of
the short story?

Characterization

Characterization deals with how the characters in the story are described. In short
stories there are usually fewer characters compared to a novel. They usually focus
on one central character or protagonist. Ask yourself the following:

Who is the main character?

Are the main character and other characters described through dialogue – by the way
they speak (dialect or slang for instance)?

Has the author described the characters by physical appearance, thoughts and feelings,
and interaction (the way they act towards others)?

Are they static/flat characters who do not change?

Are they dynamic/round characters who DO change?

What type of characters are they? What qualities stand out? Are they stereotypes?

Are the characters believable?

Plot and structure

The plot is the main sequence of events that make up the story. In short stories the
plot is usually centered around one experience or significant moment. Consider
the following questions:

 
What is the most important event?

How is the plot structured? Is it linear, chronological or does it move around?

Is the plot believable?

Narrator and Point of view

The narrator is the person telling the story.  Consider this question: Are the
narrator and the main character the same?

By point of view we mean from whose eyes the story is being told. Short stories
tend to be told through one character’s point of view. The following are important
questions to consider:

Who is the narrator or speaker in the story?

Does the author speak through the main character?

Is the story written in the first person “I” point of view?

Is the story written in a detached third person “he/she” point of view?

Is there an “all-knowing” third person who can reveal what all the characters are
thinking and doing at all times and in all places?

Conflict

Conflict or tension is usually the heart of the short story and is related to the main
character. In a short story there is usually one main struggle.

 
How would you describe the main conflict?

Is it an internal conflict within the character?

Is it an external conflict caused by the surroundings or environment the main character

finds himself/herself in?

Climax

The climax is the point of greatest tension or intensity in the short story. It can
also be the point where events take a major turn as the story races towards its
conclusion. Ask yourself:

Is there a turning point in the story?

When does the climax take place?

Theme

The theme is the main idea, lesson, or message in the short story. It may be an
abstract idea about the human condition, society, or life. Ask yourself:

How is the theme expressed?

Are any elements repeated and therefore suggest a theme?

Is there more than one theme?

Style

The author’s style has to do with the his or her vocabulary, use of imagery, tone,
or the feeling of the story. It has to do with the author’s attitude toward the
subject. In some short stories the tone can be ironic, humorous, cold, or dramatic.
 

Is the author’s language full of figurative language?

What images are used?

Does the author use a lot of symbolism? Metaphors (comparisons that do not use “as”
or “like”) or similes (comparisons that use “as” or “like”)?

Your literary analysis of a short story will often be in the form of an essay where
you may be asked to give your opinions of the short story at the end. Choose the
elements that made the greatest impression on you. Point out which
character/characters you liked best or least and always support your arguments.

Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introliterature/chapter/how-to-analyze-a-
short-story/

ASSIGNMENT: 

PLEASE VIEW CAPT. PHILIPS FOR THE DISCUSSION ON GENRE, ELEMENTS , and
ANALYSIS

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love suffers long.

Love is patient because God is patient. An essential quality of His nature is given to our character. If we
substitute the name of Christ for each time the word love is used in this passage, we get close to its
meaning. In Christ, God’s patience with us is exposed. He is not limited by our standards of time and
emergency. Above time He sees the eternal, big picture. Love will always issue in patience with peoples
slowness to learn, respond, or grow. Patience can be real only if we see things from God’s point of view
and live on His timing. We live only for the fulfillment of His purpose in people and programs. If He can
wait, why can’t we?

This patience is issues in kindness. This is an active expression of love. The self-restraint of patience
prepares to express kindness. Involvement with people in their needs and frustrations is an expression
of kindness. It is love getting its hands dirty. Because we are freed by God’s patience, we can love
without plans and demands that people become something for our satisfaction. We are to help relate
them to God and seek His purpose for them. A patient Christian is also kind of himself and his own
failures. When he is, he inadvertently finds that he is much more understanding of others.

Love is patient and kind.

Type Of Work Novella
Genre Parable; tragedy
Language English
Time And Place Written 1951, Cuba
Date Of First Publication 1952
Publisher Scribner’s
Narrator The novella is narrated by an anonymous narrator.
Point Of View Sometimes the narrator describes the characters and events objectively,
that is, as they would appear to an outside observer. However, the narrator frequently
provides details about Santiago’s inner thoughts and dreams.
Tone Despite the narrator’s journalistic, matter-of-fact tone, his reverence for Santiago
and his struggle is apparent. The text affirms its hero to a degree unusual even for
Hemingway.
Tense Past
Setting (Time) Late 1940s
Setting (Place) A small fishing village near Havana, Cuba; the waters of the Gulf of
Mexico
Protagonist Santiago
Major Conflict For three days, Santiago struggles against the greatest fish of his long
career.
Rising Action After eighty-four successive days without catching a fish, Santiago
promises his former assistant, Manolin, that he will go “far out” into the ocean. The
marlin takes the bait, but Santiago is unable to reel him in, which leads to a three-day
struggle between the fisherman and the fish.
Climax The marlin circles the skiff while Santiago slowly reels him in. Santiago nearly
passes out from exhaustion but gathers enough strength to harpoon the marlin through
the heart, causing him to lurch in an almost sexual climax of vitality before dying.
Falling Action Santiago sails back to shore with the marlin tied to his boat. Sharks follow
the marlin’s trail of blood and destroy it. Santiago arrives home toting only the fish’s
skeletal carcass. The village fishermen respect their formerly ridiculed peer, and
Manolin pledges to return to fishing with Santiago. Santiago falls into a deep sleep and
dreams of lions.
Themes The honor in struggle, defeat, and death; pride as the source of greatness and
determination
Motifs Crucifixion imagery; life from death; the lions on the beach
Symbols The marlin; the shovel-nosed sharks
Foreshadowing Santiago’s insistence that he will sail out farther than ever before
foreshadows his destruction; because the marlin is linked to Santiago, the marlin’s
death foreshadows Santiago’s own destruction by the sharks.