Ways to learn about a character:
What he/she says or does
What other character’s say to or about him/her
What the character thinks:
In writing, this is called third person omniscient narration
In drama, this is called
An "aside"
Soliloquy
Interjected narration
Conflict is the essence of story.
Short Story Contains the elements of:
A Short Story is:
A way metaphorical way to think of Literature in terms of dairy products:
| Novel = Skim milk
|
Short Story = Canned milk
|
Poetry =
Cheese
|
Reasons for stories
Share experiences
To inform or educate
To entertain
To re-enforce group bonding
To validate cultural norms/beliefs
Main Character
Round character
Story is centered around him/her
Directly affected by the conflict
Often (not always) the narrator
He/She is the character that you, the reader identify with
We see the story form his/her point of view
Plot is what happens in a story, or the line.
Each part of the plot line is represented by a number on the graph above. The plot has the following elements:
The Thematic Equation (courtesy of Mr. David Thistle... my cooperating teacher while I was on my Internship at St. Peter's Jr. High, Mt. Pearl):
Types of conflict
| Internal
Character vs. Self |
External Character vs. Character Character vs. Society Character vs. Nature Character vs. Machine/Technology |
Kinds of Basic Characters
Static ~ Basic and unchanging
Dynamic ~ Have the ability to change
Flat ~ Static undeveloped characters, we only see one side of their personalities because they usually play a functional role in the story. These characters are rather simple and have personalities which are based around few or even a single characteristic (eg. clumsiness, stupidity, spite, etc.). Flat characters include stereotypes, caricatures, stock characters/mechanical characters.
Round ~ Well developed, dynamic characters. We see many sides of their personalities. They are usually directly involved with the main action and conflict in a story.
Protagonist ~ the "main character" who is directly affected and changed in some way by the conflict and action of the play.
Antagonist ~ the protagonist's nemesis and often the personification of the conflict in a story. The climax of a story usually occurs at the point where the protagonist and antagonist quarrel outright.
Three Types of Narration
First person ~ The narrator is involved in the story.
Third person ~ The narrator tells the story form the perspective of an outsider.
Third person omniscient ~ The narrator sees and knows all.
