SHORT STORY

Philippine Literature
NATURE OF SHORT STORY
Brief fictional prose narrative that
is shorter than a novel and that
usually deals with only a few
characters.

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.
ELEMENTS OF SHORT STORY
Setting

Characters

Plot

Conflict

Point of view

Theme
 Setting
Place Mood or atmosphere
Geographical location. What feeling is created at the beginning of
Where is the action of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or
the story taking place? dark and frightening?
Time Social condition
When is the story What is the daily life of the characters
taking place? like? Does the story contain local color
(historical (writing that focuses on the speech, dress,
period, time of day, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular
year, etc.) place)?
 characters
Character is a person, or sometimes even an animal, who
takes part in the action of a short story or a
piece of literary work.

• Main Characters
• those who are most important in the story.

• Minor characters
usually static or unchanging.
CHARACTERS ACCORDING
TO PRINCIPALITY
1. protagonist
• Is the character with whom
the reader empathizes.

2. Antagonist
• Is the character that goes
against the protagonist.
CHARACTERS ACCORDING TO DEVELOPMENT
1. DYNAMIC • a character that exhibits noticeable development.

2. STATIC • a character who exhibits no changes and development.

CHARACTERS ACCORDING TO PERSONALITY

1. ROUND is a character that displays different/multiple
personalities throughout the story.

it is the character that reveals conventional traits;

2. FLAT who remains the same throughout the story.
 plot
plot It is the sequence of events in a story
or play.
Kinds of plot
1. linear plot Moves with the natural sequence of events where actions
are arranged sequentially.

2. Circular plot A kind of plot where linear development of the story

merges with an interruption in the chronological order
to show an event that happened in the past.
3. En medias res A kind of plot where the story commences in the middle
part of the action.
 5 STAGES
INTRODUCTION • The beginning of the story where the characters
and the setting is revealed.

RISING ACTION • This is where the events in the story become

complicated and the conflict in the story is revealed
(events between the introduction and climax).
CLIMAX • This is the highest point of interest and the turning
point of the story. The reader wonders what will happen
next; will the conflict be resolved or not?
FALLING ACTION • The events and complications begin to resolve
themselves. The reader knows what has happened next and
if the conflict was resolved or not (events between
climax and denouement).
DENOUEMENT • This is the final outcome or untangling of events in
the story.
Pyramid pattern of a plot
 conflict
conflict is the opposition of forces which ties one
incident to another and makes the plot move.
Two major types
1. external
• A struggle with a force outside one's self.
2. internal
A struggle within one's self; a person must make
some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper,
resist an urge, etc.
 EXTERNAL
A. MAN VS. MAN •a type of conflict where one character in the story
has a problem with one or more of the other characters

B. MAN VS. SOCIETY • a type of conflict where a character has a

conflict or problem with some element of
society-the school, the law, the accepted way
of doing things, and so on.

C. MAN VS. NATURE • a type of conflict where a character has a

problem with some natural happening:
snowstorm, typhoon, avalanche, bitter cold, or
any elements common to nature.
INTERNAL
• is a type of conflict where a character has trouble
A. MAN VS SELF deciding what to do in a particular situation.
 Pov (point of view)
THE ANGLE FROM WHICH THE STORY IS TOLD
 Theme

The theme is the controlling idea or the

central insight.

It is the author's underlying meaning or

main idea that he is trying to convey.

The theme may be the author's thoughts

about a topic or view of human nature.
 Imagination
Imagination is the
canvas upon which
writers paint their
stories. It's the ability
to conjure vivid
images, emotions, and
scenarios in our
minds, transcending
the limits of reality.
the lost key
**The Lost Key:**
*Story:* A man
loses his key and
searches
frantically for it,
only to realize it
was in his pocket
all along..
 ha n k you
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