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Generic Questions for Analyzing the Short Story By J. Moore by JoAnne Moore www. books4results.com Clip art Publisher 2003 Power Point 2003 © J. Moore 2011 Short Stories Name________________ Title________________________ Author______________________ Select Type of Short Story: *slice of life *well-made Choose Point of View: First-person *story told from “I” viewpoint and narrator is often the main character in the story Third-person *story told from one character’s viewpoint using “he, she, they” Omniscient point of view *narrator is all-knowing and can take the viewpoint of any character Objective point of view *only shows outward actions and speech of characters (no thoughts) Mood *tone of the story (e.g. light-hearted, ominous, empty) _______________________________________________________ Theme: *statement describing truth about life ______________________________________________________ Types of Characters: If the story contains this type of character, name him under corresponding description. Protagonist *main character is______________________________ Protagonist’s motive (wants/needs) ____________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Antagonist *force or character opposing the main character is: __________________________________________ Static Character * remains the same throughout story __________________________________________ Dynamic Character *transforms __________________________________________ Stock Character *stereotype such as an evil stepmother __________________________________________ Select Plot Structure(s) Author used and briefly describe below: *copycat (emulate another to: develop a friendship, acquire a skill, mock, frame for a crime) *stuck (person/object physically/emotionally stuck; includes kidnappings, signed contracts, responsibilities, commitments, natural disasters ) *contest (man vs. man/machine/nature/God/self/society) *circle (journey, time travel, lost and found, self-acceptance, dream) *switch (people/objects swap places/jobs/identities) *transformation (physical or character transformations, linear journeys) _________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ by JoAnne Moore www. books4results.com Clip art Publisher 2003 Power Point 2003 © J. Moore 2011 Plot: Describe the following: Exposition: background information told to provide context for the story (not necessarily found at the beginning of the story, could be single sentences dispersed throughout the story) _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Rising Action: develops conflict by increasing tension and also develops characters _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Climax: the highest point of tension in which the reader doesn’t know what the outcome will be _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Resolution: is the outcome of the conflict or the way the problem is resolved (includes plot twists) _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Was there a twist in the plot? If so, circle it below. Describe above. *anagnorisis/discovery (protagonists’ sudden discovery of their own or another character’s true identity/nature through which previously unknown character information is revealed) *flashback (return to a past event which provides answer to a mystery or supplies motive for a misunderstood event) *unreliable narrator ( twists the end by showing near the end how the narrator has lied/ tricked the reader) *peripeteia ( reversal of fortune) *deus ex machine (unlikely use of a device, event, machine, artificial character, unlikely character, to resolve problem/plot) *poetic justice (ironic twist in which the villain is caught in his own trap) *Chekhov’s gun : (introduction of a character/object /plot element which is not referred to until near the end. It is used to foreshadow an important part of the story) *red herring (false clue given to lead the reader to an incorrect solution) *cliffhanger (sudden ending which leaves main characters in a difficult situation) *in medias res (story proceeds from the middle of the story preventing the inciting incident from being revealed until the climax) *nonlinear narrative (story must be pieced together as it isn’t told in order. A twist occurs if the information is held back until the climax) *reverse chronology (story told in reverse beginning with final event) by JoAnne Moore www. books4results.com Clip art Publisher 2003 Power Point 2003 © J. Moore 2011 Things to Think About when Analyzing Short Stories Slice of life short stories: This type of short story presents scenes from a character’s life, which often lack a traditional plot, conflict, or ending. The scenes are intended to portray the au- thor’s theme/statement about life. The character may experience an epiphany. Well-made Short Stories: This type of short story has a well-knit plot with character(s) who develop as they experience a conflict and usually ends with a defined resolution. Questions to ask yourself: *Why was the setting chosen? Is it symbolic? *Does the name of the city/town/location have symbolic significance? *Who is the main character and how does viewing the story through his/her eyes help the reader explore the statement about life the author wants to make? *Are there other significant characters the author chose to make his point? *Are the names of characters symbolic? *Is the season/weather symbolic? *How does the author create a dilemma/crisis which illustrates this statement about life? A second factor involved in seeing the theme involves understanding common issues man faces. Some of these include: *race *wealth *cultural barriers *poverty *powerlessness *religion *power/authority *gender *injustice *education *betrayal *economic status *inequality *social status *opportunity/lack of opportunity *language barriers *beauty/ugliness *life/mortality *superiority/inferiority *coming of age *honesty/dishonesty *mid-life crisis/ *truth/lies *old age, illness and death *strength/fragility by JoAnne Moore www. books4results.com Clip art Publisher 2003 Power Point 2003 © J. Moore 2011 .
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