Elements of Short Story / Literary Techniques (Narrative Techniques) A. Short Story A short story is a brief work of literature, usually written in narrative prose. Emerging from earlier oral storytelling traditions in the 17th century, the short story has grown to include a body of work so diverse as to defy (challenge, resist) easy characterization. At its most prototypical the short story features a small cast of named characters, and focuses on a self-contained incident with the intent of evoking a "single effect" or mood. In doing so, short stories make use of plot, resonance, and other dynamic components to a far greater degree than is typical of an anecdote, yet to a far lesser degree than a novel. While the short story is largely distinct from the novel, authors of both generally draw from a common pool of literary techniques. B. Literary Techniques (Narrative Techniques) A narrative technique (also known as a literary technique, literary device, or fictional device) is any of several specific methods the creator of a narrative uses to convey what they want. 1. Plot - the arrangement of ideas and incidents that make up a story. A plot is not merely a collection of unconnected events; it is a series of events connected by causation. Two examples show what is meant by the plot: "The king died and the queen died." It is not a plot. 1
"The king died and the queen died of grief." In other words, Plot is the logical interaction of the various thematic elements of a text which lead to a change of the original situation as presented at the outset of the narrative. An ideal traditional plot line encompasses the following four sequential levels: exposition complication climax or turning point resolution The exposition or presentation of the initial situation is disturbed by a complication or conflict which produces suspense and eventually leads to a climax, crisis, or turning point. The climax is followed by a resolution of the complication (French denouement), with which the text usually ends. Most traditional fiction, drama, and film employ this basic plot structure, which is also called linear plot since its different elements follow a chronological order. 2
2- Character - representation of a person, place, or thing performing traditionally human activities or functions in a work of fiction. Characters are divided into two types: main and minor. Main characters are also divided into two types: protagonist and antagonist. Protagonist- The character the story revolves around. Antagonist- A character or force that opposes the protagonist. Minor character - Often provides support and illuminates the protagonist. flat character: a one-dimensional character who has only a few, easily defined traits. Most minor characters are flat. Not to be confused with a static character. round character: a multi-faceted character, especially one who is capable of choosing right or wrong. Usually a protagonist is a round character; in most short stories no more than one or two characters are round. Not to be confused with a dynamic character. dynamic character: a character who changes, especially one who comes to a major realization. The realization may or may not change the character s actions, but the character must never be able to see the world in quite the same way. Not all protagonists are dynamic. Rarely does a short story have more than one or two dynamic characters. static character: a character who undergoes no such change. 3. Theme is the dominant idea of a literary work. Therefore, a theme can be identified in a complete sentence, a noun phrase, or a single word. 4.Symbol and Image: a thing that suggests more than its literal meaning. A symbol can be a thing. For example, 3
Cross - representative of Christ or Christianity Bald Eagle - America or Patriotism Owl - wisdom or knowledge Yellow - implies cowardice or rot White dove peace 5. Point of view: the perspective from which a story is narrated. The author can choose among various possibilities. First-person Narration - A text presented from the point of view of a character, especially the protagonist, as if the character is telling the story themselves. Second person Narration - Narrator addresses the reader directly as though s/he is part of the story. (i.e. You walk into your bedroom. You see clutter everywhere and ). A text written in the style of a direct address, in the second-person. Third Person Narration (Objective) - Narrator is unnamed/unidentified (a detached observer). Does not assume character's perspective and is not a character in the story. The narrator reports on events and lets the reader supply the meaning. Omniscient - All-knowing narrator (multiple perspectives). The narrator knows what each character is thinking and feeling, not just what they are doing throughout the story. This type of narrator usually jumps around within the text, following one character for a few pages or chapters, and then switching to another character for a few pages, chapters, etc. Omniscient narrators also sometimes step out of a particular character s mind to evaluate him or her in some meaningful way. 4
6. Setting - the place or location of the action (When and where a story occurs). The setting provides the historical and cultural context for characters. It often can symbolize the emotional state of characters. 5