Short Story

Analysis
Indian Literature: The
Panchatantra
What is short story?
can be read in one sitting
1,000 to 7,500 words
10 to 25 pages

A piece of fiction shorter than 1,000

words is considered a "short short
story" or "flash fiction"
Anything less than 300 words is
called "microfiction"
ELEMENTS OF SHORT STORY
1. Setting: Where and when is the story is set?
2. Character: A person or animal or really
anything personified.
3. Plot: consists of the events that happen in the
story.
4. Conflict: challenge or problem
5. Theme: idea, belief, or insight.
6. Point of view: who is telling the story?
7. Tone: overall emotional "tone" or meaning of
the story.
8. Style: how things are said.
What is the Plot of
Story?
1. Exposition
2. Rising action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Denouement/Conclusion
Types of Short Stories
Anecdote
Drabble
Fable
Flash Fiction
Mini-Saga
Short Story Analysis
1. Setting

How is the setting created?

What role does the setting play in the
story?
When was the story is written?
Does it take place in the present, the
past, or the future?
How does the time period affect
language. atmosphere or social
circumstances of the short story?
Short Story Analysis
2. Characterization

Who is the main character?

Are the main character and other
characters described through dialogue -
by the way they speak?
Has the author described the
characters by physical appearance,
thoughts and feelings, and interaction?
Are the characters believable?
Short Story Analysis

3. Plot and Structure

What is the most important event?

How is the plot structured? Is it linear,
chronological or does it move around?
Is the plot believable?
Short Story Analysis

4. Narrator and Point of View

Who is the narrator or speaker in the

story?
Does the author speak through the
main character?
Short Story Analysis
5. Conflict

How would you describe the main

conflict?
Is it internal conflict within the
character?
Is it an external conflict caused by the
surroundings or environment the main
character finds himself/herself in?
Short Story Analysis
6. Climax
Is there a turning point in the story?
When does the climax take place?

7. Theme
How is the theme expressed?
Are any elements repeated and
therefore suggest a theme?
Is there more than one theme?
Short Story Analysis

8. Style

Is the author's language full of

figurative language?
What images are used?
Does the author use a lot of
symbolism?
THE PANCHTANTRA

Legendary collection of short stories

from India
Antique animal fables
Vishnu Sharma
Implant moral values and governing
skills in the young sons of the king
Enroot moral values in children
Etymology: 'Pancha' (five) and 'Tantra'
(practice or principle)
THE PANCHTANTRA

FIVE PARTS
Mitra Bhedha (Loss of Friends)
Mitra Laabha (Gaining of Friends)
Suhrudbheda (Causing discord
between Friends)
Vighraha (Separation)
Sadhi (Union)
Thha
annk
k
T
y
yoou
u!!