Short stories:
Take a look at our introduction to short stories from Shmoop and How to Read Short Stories. Note any vocabulary that seems important concerning the short story.
Students often ask: "How long should my story be?" instead of realizing that any story needs to have a beginning, middle, and end. This sort of open-ended question really has no answer. How long should a story be? Well, traditionally, short stories are shorter than novels. That's a good place to begin.
Short stories are shorter than novels and are usually not as complex or involved. Short stories were originally meant to be read in one sitting. As our culture has sped ahead, and we don't have much free time, short stories have become as short as a sentence or two and as long as the traditional short stories, fewer than 20,000 words. A short novel is about 50,000 words. Most publishers want novels that are anywhere from 75,000 to 100,000 words or more.
Usually, a short story focuses on only one event or incident. It usually has a single plot, a single setting, a small number of characters, and covers a short period of time. Most writing students start off writing short stories because they are manageable. But the form is tricky and hard to perfect. Many authors spend their whole lives learning the craft of writing short fiction.
Longer short stories usually contain elements of dramatic structure: exposition (the introduction of setting, situation and main characters); complication (the event that introduces the conflict); rising action (development of the conflict), crisis (the decisive moment for the protagonist and her commitment to a course of action); climax (the point of highest tension and the point the protagonist faces her antagonist); resolution (the point when the conflict is resolved); and a sense of enlightenment, epiphany, or moral.
Short stories may or may not follow this pattern. Some do not follow patterns at all. Modern short stories only occasionally have an exposition. An abrupt beginning, with the story starting in the middle of the action (in media res) is more standard or typical.
Usually, all short stories have a turning point and climax, but endings may be sudden or what is called "open"--leaving the story incomplete. As with all art forms, short stories will vary by author.
Let's read a couple short stories this morning. As we read, notice the format and how each author uses dialogue, setting, description, language, sentences, a hook, plot elements, and conclusions. For each short story identify:
Take a look at our introduction to short stories from Shmoop and How to Read Short Stories. Note any vocabulary that seems important concerning the short story.
Students often ask: "How long should my story be?" instead of realizing that any story needs to have a beginning, middle, and end. This sort of open-ended question really has no answer. How long should a story be? Well, traditionally, short stories are shorter than novels. That's a good place to begin.
Short stories are shorter than novels and are usually not as complex or involved. Short stories were originally meant to be read in one sitting. As our culture has sped ahead, and we don't have much free time, short stories have become as short as a sentence or two and as long as the traditional short stories, fewer than 20,000 words. A short novel is about 50,000 words. Most publishers want novels that are anywhere from 75,000 to 100,000 words or more.
Usually, a short story focuses on only one event or incident. It usually has a single plot, a single setting, a small number of characters, and covers a short period of time. Most writing students start off writing short stories because they are manageable. But the form is tricky and hard to perfect. Many authors spend their whole lives learning the craft of writing short fiction.
Longer short stories usually contain elements of dramatic structure: exposition (the introduction of setting, situation and main characters); complication (the event that introduces the conflict); rising action (development of the conflict), crisis (the decisive moment for the protagonist and her commitment to a course of action); climax (the point of highest tension and the point the protagonist faces her antagonist); resolution (the point when the conflict is resolved); and a sense of enlightenment, epiphany, or moral.
Short stories may or may not follow this pattern. Some do not follow patterns at all. Modern short stories only occasionally have an exposition. An abrupt beginning, with the story starting in the middle of the action (in media res) is more standard or typical.
Usually, all short stories have a turning point and climax, but endings may be sudden or what is called "open"--leaving the story incomplete. As with all art forms, short stories will vary by author.
Let's read a couple short stories this morning. As we read, notice the format and how each author uses dialogue, setting, description, language, sentences, a hook, plot elements, and conclusions. For each short story identify:
- POV (1st, 2nd, or 3rd person POV)
- Identify the speaker/protagonist
- Identify the conflict/antagonist
- Identify the setting
- Identify the theme or message of the story. We might also call this the premise. What is the story about?
- How does the title help make meaning or help focus the reader's attention?
Watch at least 3 500-word stories (see link below) and summarize each story in 1 sentence. Write your 1-sentence premise (summary) in your journals. Then, add to this list with some of your own 1-sentence premises.
- Please watch and listen to at least 3 500-word stories from this site. You can find the 2017 winners at this link too.
- Lab: writing a 500-word story.
- Come up with a short story that should be exactly 500 words in length.
- Subject and genre are completely up to you!
- Use the handout advice to get you started.
- Use the advice from the videos on the web as well.
- Write. Drafts of your stories will be due soon.
When you have completed your 500-word short story, proofread, print and turn in. If you finish before the 500-word short story is due, write another one in a different style or genre.
Don't forget our other on-going project: The Human Interest Video Project. Decide whether you are working alone or with a partner. Identify your subject, plan to meet your subject, and begin shooting your 1-3 minute human interest project. We will cover some video tips and advice next class regarding this project, but you should get started on this project asap. More details to follow.
HOMEWORK: None. Begin working and shooting your human interest video. This is an ongoing project.
Don't forget our other on-going project: The Human Interest Video Project. Decide whether you are working alone or with a partner. Identify your subject, plan to meet your subject, and begin shooting your 1-3 minute human interest project. We will cover some video tips and advice next class regarding this project, but you should get started on this project asap. More details to follow.
Some things to remember:
- Your human interest story is a story. It should have a specific subject and involve some understanding of what it means to be fatally and tragically or humorously human.
- Create questions in your journal that you might ask your subject.
- Follow your subject around for some time (usually a day) and take pictures or video of him/her doing something normal.
- You may write a voice over script introducing your subject.
- You may use partial interviews or researched statistics in your video.
- You may use a musical underscore to add tone and ambiance to your video.
- Above all: Be creative!
How to go about doing this project.
1. Decide to work alone or with a single partner.
2. If you work alone: make a list of potential subjects for your human interest video. Choose one as your subject (this can be a family member, a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, a person of interest, etc.)
3. If you work with a partner, decide who will be the subject and who will be the videographer.
4. Videographers should come up with some interview questions to ask the subject. Record your questions and answers in your journal.
5. Decide on where you will shoot video footage of your subject. You may have to travel, so plan accordingly. Brainstorm different possible settings to use as an appropriate backdrop for your video in your journal.
6. Record your interview with your subject. Use some of this material (the best parts) for your video.
7. Use your smartphones or video equipment (you can borrow this from our department) to make your film.
8. Upload your video/audio footage into Windows Movie Maker (or iMovie or other video software if you have access to it).
9. Edit and prepare your video. It should be, again, 1-3 minutes in length.
10. Upload your video when it is completed.
HOMEWORK: None. Begin working and shooting your human interest video. This is an ongoing project.
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