Short Story Introduction: Plot Types and Genres

Reflection: Why do we read stories that are ‘fiction?’ In what sense is ‘fiction’ true?

Read C.S. Lewis’ We Demand Windows, write and discuss.

The “Short Story” is a large genre with many sub-genres. We will explore the differences between three, and discuss more throughout our course.

Think together: What is the difference between science fiction, fantasy, and fairy-tale/fable?

What is a genre? How might plot factor into Genre differences?

Key Terms Notes (Reading Section, “Plot and Genre”)

Genre: A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter (Oxford English Dictionary)

Sub-Genres: Smaller categories within genres that focus on smaller differences between form, style, or subject matter.

Plot – the structure of the action of a story. In conventional stories, plot has three main parts: rising action, climax, and falling action leading to a resolution or denouement (Harris & Hodges, 189).

Or: “Plot is a sequence of events that occurs to characters in situations in the beginning, middle, and end of a story” (Hancock, 136).

Watch Kurt Vonnegut on the “Shapes of Stories”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP3c1h8v2ZQ&safe=active

Types of Plot:

There are four primary types of plots (modified from Anderson, 2006, & Lukens, 2007):

1. Linear – plot is constructed logically and not by coincidence. There are three major parts to a linear plot:

·        Beginning – the characters and setting are introduced, and the central conflict/problem of the story is revealed. Usually the main character sets a goal to overcome the conflict/problem, or s/he may set a goal that creates a conflict/problem.

·        Middle – the main character participates in a series of events or attempts to reach the goal that leads to a resolution of the conflict/problem.

·        End – the main character may or may not reach his/her goal, thus resolving the conflict/problem. The linear plot is common in folktales, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as well as realistic fiction (e.g. Great Expectations, To Kill a Mockingbird) and fantasy (Out of the Silent Planet, War of the Worlds).

2. Episodic – “one incident or short episode is linked to another by common characters or a unified theme” (Lukens, 121).
• An episodic plot features distinct episodes that are related to one another but that also can be read individually, almost as stories by themselves (e.g., the chapters in Frog and Toad All Year, Lobel). The chapters of short books with episodic structure like Frog and Toad can be used to teach narrative structure as one would with a picture storybook, because each chapter functions like a story that can stand alone.
3. Cumulative – plots with lots of repetition of phrases, sentences, or events with one new aspect added with each repetition. The Gingerbread Man and The Great, Big, Enormous Turnip are examples of cumulative plots.
4. Circular – the characters in the story end up in the same place that they were at the beginning of the story. Examples of circular stories are If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Numeroff) and Where the Wild Things Are (Sendak).

Climax - action that causes resolution of conflict (353)

Resolution - falling action following climax (357) 

Theme - statement giving the underlying truth about people, society, or the human condition, either explicitly or implicitly (358)

How can plot be manipulated or played with for various effects?

Plot Devices

-Flashback: taking the reader to a previous point in the plot through dialogue, dream-sequence, or narration.

-Flashforward: taking the reader to a later point in the plot through narration or dreams-sequence

-Foreshadowing: symbolic or allusive hints about what is to come later in the plot.

-Pacing: the rate at which an author chooses to speed through, slow down in, or skip altogether

Characters in the Plot

Conflict is the interaction of plot and character or the opposition of two forces. There are four primary types of conflict:

1.      character vs.  self

2.      character vs. character

3.      character vs. society

4.      character vs. nature

5.      character vs. Deity/deities

Stories we will read together:

Fairy Tale/Fable: How Much Land Does a Man Need?

Science Fiction: Harrison Bergeron

Fantasy: Heavenly Christmas Tree (Click here for a Recording)

Questions for annotating (do this on the pdf in Notability or bring your own printed copy). These are questions to prompt your note-taking throughout reading—you do not need to answer these in written form, but simply make marginal notes on these sorts of things:

What happens? Why does it happen?

How is the story structured? Notice the order of things and any patterns.

What are some unique things about details in the story? Do these make it fantasy, science fiction, or fairy-tale/fable?

How do the characters respond to events? What does this say about the characters?

Choose your favorite story that we read together, and create short responses to all of the following questions based on that one story.

Write in complete sentences, with proper grammar.

1.      What is your favorite phrase, line, or image? Why?

2.      What is the most important phrase, line, or image? Why?

3.      What is a pattern the author develops, and what does this have to do with the overall meaning of the work? (look for a repeated symbol, phrase, sound, behavior, or theme)

4.      What type of plot does this story have? How does that type of plot impact the overall meaning of the work?

5.      What genre of writing should this story be categorized in? Why? What does the author do that makes the story unique within that genre?

Choose one story below to read on your own:

The Shadow

Robbie
A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings

Review Literary Analysis features and sample essays at the Roane State Owl Web Page.

-Thesis

-Use of evidence

-Focus on what the author is doing in the text.

Short Story Analysis Assignment (1 & ½ class periods):

Write a literary analysis essay on the following prompt:

Masterful authors create plot structures that are not merely exciting, but are also well-suited for the intended themes and elements of genre. Analyze the story's plot and genre in a 5-paragraph literary analysis essay. Use proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Identify the plot structure and genre of the story. Defend your assertion with evidence from the story that demonstrates how events in the plot form the "shape of the story" and how key elements of genre make the story unique within that genre.