Introduction to Short Stories

Plot triangles, literary terms and reading strategies

What is a plot triangle?

A plot triangle shows the typical progression of events in a story.

There are five parts of a plot triangle: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Also known as Freytag’s Pyramid

Freytag’s Pyramid (Plot Triangle)

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Exposition (introduction): The beginning of a story that introduces characters, setting and conflict.

Rising Action: Conflict is established and intensifies.

Climax: Highest point of action in story or turning point in the story.

Falling Action: Conflict is in process of being resolved; all action following climax

Resolution: Conflict is resolved and “loose ends” are tied up.

Assignment

Choose a fairy tale: “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Three Little Pigs” or “Hansel and Gretel.”

As a group, retell the story.Create a plot triangle for your group’s fairy

tale.

Literary Terms

Definitions and Examples

SettingThe time and place a story takes place

Example: Titanic takes place on a ship in the North Atlantic in April 1912.

SimileA comparison of two unlike objects using like or as.

Example: The water hit me like a bull running at full speed.

MetaphorA direct comparison of two unlike objects.

Example: The sun is a bright yellow beach ball floating in the sky.

PersonificationGiving a non-human object human characteristics.

Example: The tree limbs waved hello to me from the distance.

ProtagonistThe main character of the story (not always the good guy)

Example: The protagonist of Titanic is Jack.

AntagonistThe character who causes problems or opposes the main character (not always the bad guy)

Example: The antagonist of Titanic is Rose’s fiancé Cal.

ConflictA struggle or clash between opposing characters or opposing forces.

Example: Two students arguing over who is right.

Two types of conflict

Internal Conflict

External Conflict

A struggle within the mind of a character. Person vs. himself

Example: A character cannot decide whether to skip school or go to class.

A struggle with an outside opposing force. Person vs. person, person vs. nature, person vs. society

.

AlliterationRepetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close together in a passage or poem.

Example: The beautiful baby boy waved bye-bye to his brother.

OnomatopoeiaA word whose sound imitates its meaning.

Examples: The bee buzzed my ear.The thud of the book landing on the

carpet scared me.

ThemeCentral idea of a work or literature (moral of the story)

Example: The theme of Titanic is to follow your heart no matter if others agree with your decision.

HyperboleA gross or extreme exaggeration of a truth to show strong emotion or for humor.

Example: When my mom saw my report card, she was so mad I thought her head would explode.

Foreshadowing Hints and clues to events that will happen later in the story.

In Titanic, Jack and Rose meet when he saves her from jumping to her death which foreshadows Jack rescuing Rose in the end.

Pun A play on words using

1. Two words that sound the same but have different meanings.

2. A word with more than one meaning.

Character

Round Character has many characteristics. (76)

Flat Character has very few characteristics and the audience does not get to know him/her. (39)

Static Character stays the same throughout the story. (97)

Dynamic Character changes ideals, morals or values by the end of the story. (98)