Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Elements of a Short Story
5 Important Elements of a Short Story
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contents: American Literary Classics
March 22, 2004
PLOT — The plot is how the author arranges events to develop his basic idea; It is the sequence of events in a story or play. The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end. The short story usually has one plot so it can be read in one sitting. There are five essential parts of plot:
It is helpful to consider climax as a three-fold phenomenon: 1) the main character receives new information 2) accepts this information (realizes it but does not necessarily agree with it) 3) acts on this information (makes a choice that will determine whether or not he/she gains his objective).
CHARACTER — There are two meanings for the word character:
1) The person in a work of fiction.
2) The characteristics of a person.
A short story is a short work of fiction. Fiction, as you know, is prose writing about imagined events and characters. Prose writing differs from poetry in that it does not depend on verses, meters or rhymes for its organization and presentation.
Novels are another example of fictional prose and are much longer than short stories. Some short stories, however, can be quite long. If a a short story is a long one, say fifty to one hundred pages, we call it a novella.
American literature contains some of the world's best examples of the short story. Readers around the world enjoy the finely crafted stories of American writers such as O. Henry, Stephen Crane, Jack London, Mark Twain and Edgar Allen Poe.
What makes these authors such remarkable short story writers? They are true masters at combining the five key elements that go into every great short story: character, setting, conflict, plot andtheme.
The ELLSA web-site uses one of these five key elements as the focus of each of the five on-line lessons in the Classics of American Literature section. In each lesson, you will explore a single American short story from the USIA Ladder Series and discover how the author uses a certain element.
The definitions on the right are repeated on the first page of each short story lesson.
contents: American Literary Classics
March 22, 2004
A character is a person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part in the action of a short story or other literary work.
see The Green Door by O. Henry
The theme is the central idea or belief in a short story.The setting of a short story is the time and place in which it happens. Authors often use descriptions of landscape, scenery, buildings, seasons or weather to provide a strong sense of setting.
see The Last Leaf by O. Henry
A plot is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central conflict.
see The Open Boat by Stephen Crane
The conflict is a struggle between two people or things in a short story. The main character is usually on one side of the central conflict.
On the other side, the main character may struggle against another important character, against the forces of nature, against society, or even against something inside himself or herself (feelings, emotions, illness).
see To Build a Fire by Jack London
see The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
SHORT STORY ELEMENTS
SETTING — The time and location in which a story takes place is called the setting. For some stories the setting is very important, while for others it is not. There are several aspects of a story’s setting to consider when examining how setting contributes to a story (some, or all, may be present in a story):
a) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place?
b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)
c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?
d) social conditions - What is the daily life of the character’s like? Does the story contain local colour (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)?
e) mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?
PLOT — The plot is how the author arranges events to develop his basic idea; It is the sequence of events in a story or play. The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end. The short story usually has one plot so it can be read in one sitting. There are five essential parts of plot:
a) Introduction - The beginning of the story where the characters and the setting is revealed.b) 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).c) 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?d) 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).e) Denouement - This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story.
It is helpful to consider climax as a three-fold phenomenon: 1) the main character receives new information 2) accepts this information (realizes it but does not necessarily agree with it) 3) acts on this information (makes a choice that will determine whether or not he/she gains his objective).
CONFLICT– Conflict is essential to plot. Without conflict there is no plot. It is the opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot move. Conflict is not merely limited to open arguments, rather it is any form of opposition that faces the main character. Within a short story there may be only one central struggle, or there may be one dominant struggle with many minor ones.
There are two types of conflict:
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.There are four kinds of conflict:
1) Man vs. Man (physical) - The leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men, forces of nature, or animals.2) Man vs. Circumstances (classical) - The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him/her.3) Man vs. Society (social) - The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people.4) Man vs. Himself/Herself (psychological) - The leading character struggles with himself/herself; with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.
CHARACTER — There are two meanings for the word character:
1) The person in a work of fiction.
2) The characteristics of a person.
Persons in a work of fiction - Antagonist and Protagonist
Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character - he/she is the PROTAGONIST. The opposer of the main character is called the ANTAGONIST.
Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character - he/she is the PROTAGONIST. The opposer of the main character is called the ANTAGONIST.
The Characteristics of a Person -
In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways:
a) his/her physical appearance
b) what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams
c) what he/she does or does not do
d) what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her
In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways:
a) his/her physical appearance
b) what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams
c) what he/she does or does not do
d) what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her
Characters are convincing if they are: consistent, motivated, and life-like (resemble real people)
Characters are…
1. Individual - round, many sided and complex personalities.
2. Developing - dynamic, many sided personalities that change, for better or worse, by the end of the story.
3. Static - Stereotype, have one or two characteristics that never change and are emphasized e.g. brilliant detective, drunk, scrooge, cruel stepmother, etc.
1. Individual - round, many sided and complex personalities.
2. Developing - dynamic, many sided personalities that change, for better or worse, by the end of the story.
3. Static - Stereotype, have one or two characteristics that never change and are emphasized e.g. brilliant detective, drunk, scrooge, cruel stepmother, etc.
Point of view, or p.o.v., is defined as the angle from which the story is told.
1. Innocent Eye - The story is told through the eyes of a child (his/her judgment being different from that of an adult) .
2. Stream of Consciousness - The story is told so that the reader feels as if they are inside the head of one character and knows all their thoughts and reactions.
3. First Person - The story is told by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely with the protagonist or other characters (using pronouns I, me, we, etc). The reader sees the story through this person’s eyes as he/she experiences it and only knows what he/she knows or feels.
4. Omniscient- The author can narrate the story using the omniscient point of view. He can move from character to character, event to event, having free access to the thoughts, feelings and motivations of his characters and he introduces information where and when he chooses. There are two main types of omniscient point of view:
a) Omniscient Limited - The author tells the story in third person (using pronouns they, she, he, it, etc). We know only what the character knows and what the author allows him/her to tell us. We can see the thoughts and feelings of characters if the author chooses to reveal them to us.
b) Omniscient Objective – The author tells the story in the third person. It appears as though a camera is following the characters, going anywhere, and recording only what is seen and heard. There is no comment on the characters or their thoughts. No interpretations are offered. The reader is placed in the position of spectator without the author there to explain. The reader has to interpret events on his own.
THEME — The theme in a piece of fiction is its controlling idea or its 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. The title of the short story usually points to what the writer is saying and he may use various figures of speech to emphasize his theme, such as: symbol, allusion, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or irony.
Some simple examples of common themes from literature, TV, and film are:
- things are not always as they appear to be
- Love is blind
- Believe in yourself
- People are afraid of change
- Don’t judge a book by its cover
- things are not always as they appear to be
- Love is blind
- Believe in yourself
- People are afraid of change
- Don’t judge a book by its cover
If I Were A Voice.......The Resiliency of A Filipino
If I Were A Voice
Author: Charles Mackay
I.
If I were a voice, a persuasive voice, That could travel the wide world through, I would fly on the beams of the morning light, And speak to men with a gentle might, And tell them to be true. I'd fly, I'd fly, o'er land and sea, Wherever a human heart might be, Telling a tale, or singing a song, In praise of the right - in blame of the wrong.
II.
If I were a voice, a consoling voice, I'd fly on the wings of air, The homes of Sorrow and Guilt I'd seek, And calm and truthful words I'd speak To save them from Despair. I'd fly, I'd fly, o'er the crowded town, And drop, like the happy sun-light, down Into the hearts of suffering men, And teach them to rejoice again.
III.
If I were a voice, a convincing voice, I'd travel with the wind, And whenever I saw the nations torn By warfare, jealousy, or scorn, If I were a voice, a convincing voice, I 'd travel with the wind, And whenever I saw the nations torn By warfare, jealousy, or scorn, Or hatred of their kind, I'd fly, I'd fly, on the thunder-crash, And into their blinded bosoms flash; And, all their evil thoughts subdued, I'd teach them Christian Brotherhood.
IV.
If I were a voice, a pervading voice, I'd seek the kings of Earth; I'd find them alone on their beds at night-- And whisper words that should guide them right-- Lessons of priceless worth; I'd fly more swift than the swiftest bird, And tell them things they never heard-- Truths which the ages for aye repeat-- Unknown to the statesmen at their feet.
V.
If I were a voice, an immortal voice, I'd speak in the people's ear; And whenever they shouted "Liberty
[The end]Charles Mackay's poem: If I Were A Voice
The Resiliency of a Filipino
by William G. Bacani
B : Filipino is resilient
G : Since time immemorial, we are tested by countless calamities; volcanic eruptions, devastating earthquakes and lahar flows, super typhoons, flash floods and landslides.
B : Victoriously, we surmounted these ordeals and pains, beyond imagination of the human race
G : Instant death of our loved ones, claimed by transportation mishaps and natural disasters. Thousands also die in hunger and malnutrition.
All : Including ambushes and endless wars in Mindanao . They trampled our basic human rights, such as the right to live
G (solo) : I lost my loving husband, who didn't want to join Abu Sayyaf.
G (solo) : I lost my only son, who opted to become a military man.
G : We lost our innocent children and women, we lost our homes and properties.
B : Survivors are Filipinos. The wrath of nature and cruel destiny may steal everything from us.
B (solo) : Wealth, properties, and family
All : But the Filipinos never give up
B : For us we are continuously scourged by the test of time. The spirit to survive and to bounce back remains undefeated
All : I'm as pliant as a bamboo for I'm a man of Earth
G : My hair may all be blown away by the winds
B : And my legs may be crippled by the smash of waves
All : But I will stand and pick up the shattered pieces of myself and continue to live
B : Resolute to survive, clothed with an inspiration to live, not only for my family but also for my beloved country
All : Filipinos unite in the midst of crisis, regardless of socio-economic status, tradition and creed
G : The world has seen the magnanimous spirit of the Filipinos in crucial times.
All : The gap between the rich and the poor was narrowed
G (solo) : Envy was replaced by sympathy
G (solo) : Hatred was conquered by love
B (solo) : Selfishness was set aside
B : And saving one's life is the ultimate desire
All : History tells us that the Filipinos have captured innumerable foes, natural and not. And shall always strive to champion in all odds. Because innate in the Filipino is the will to survive
B : We may be daunted by the horrible scenes around us. But certainly, we will be strengthened by our unwavering faith in God.
G : We have been lotted by many nations in the world, for our resiliency during disasters, others die in saving lives.
All : But only few realize, that we are able to survive, because our spirit to fight is deeply anchored from faith, that God Almighty will never forsake us.
B (solo) : I believe that Filipinos, divided by varied doctrines and cultures, are capable to be on top of any situation, if united
All : Together, we can face any challenge ahead of us.
B : We may stumble and fall
All : But we will bounce back, arms stronger with vision and faith, that after darkness, after pains and sufferings, the Filipino survives, the Filipino is resilient.
Pronouns
Name: ____________________________________________ Side 1
Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun.
example: John is a mail carrier. John carries a blue bag.
To make the second sentence sound better, you can change
the word John to he.
new sentence: John is a mail carrier. He carries a blue bag.
The word he is a pronoun that takes the place of the word John.
Some common pronouns include:
I, you, he, she, it, we, they, you, him, her, them, it, us
Rewrite each sentence. Change the underlined word or words to a pronoun.
1. Sarah made dinner for the whole family.
____________________________________________________________________________
2. Tyler played tag with Miguel and Ramon.
____________________________________________________________________________
3. Mr. Cane went to the movies with Mrs. Cane.
____________________________________________________________________________
4. The house needs a fresh coat of paint.
____________________________________________________________________________
Super Teacher Worksheets - www.superteacherworksheets.comName: ____________________________________________ Side 2
Pronouns
Circle the pronouns in the sentences below.
Some sentences have more than one pronoun.
5. She went to the store with Angela.
6. Six of us had to squeeze in the tiny car.
7. Every Thursday, Kenny goes to Wal-Mart with them.
8. At the store, the cashier gave her some change.
9. When the sun comes up, he leaves for work.
10. I enjoyed seeing them on the playground.
11. Have you hung the painting on the wall yet?
12. If I eat all of these vegetables, mother will let me watch television.
13. We played with the puppy, then fed her a biscuit.
14. Have you seen the sandcastle we built?
15. I bounced the ball and Jack ran after it.
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/grammar/pronouns.pdf
http://www.kidsknowit.com/flash/animations/pronouns.swf
http://www.chompchomp.com/exercises.htm
Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun.
example: John is a mail carrier. John carries a blue bag.
To make the second sentence sound better, you can change
the word John to he.
new sentence: John is a mail carrier. He carries a blue bag.
The word he is a pronoun that takes the place of the word John.
Some common pronouns include:
I, you, he, she, it, we, they, you, him, her, them, it, us
Rewrite each sentence. Change the underlined word or words to a pronoun.
1. Sarah made dinner for the whole family.
____________________________________________________________________________
2. Tyler played tag with Miguel and Ramon.
____________________________________________________________________________
3. Mr. Cane went to the movies with Mrs. Cane.
____________________________________________________________________________
4. The house needs a fresh coat of paint.
____________________________________________________________________________
Super Teacher Worksheets - www.superteacherworksheets.comName: ____________________________________________ Side 2
Pronouns
Circle the pronouns in the sentences below.
Some sentences have more than one pronoun.
5. She went to the store with Angela.
6. Six of us had to squeeze in the tiny car.
7. Every Thursday, Kenny goes to Wal-Mart with them.
8. At the store, the cashier gave her some change.
9. When the sun comes up, he leaves for work.
10. I enjoyed seeing them on the playground.
11. Have you hung the painting on the wall yet?
12. If I eat all of these vegetables, mother will let me watch television.
13. We played with the puppy, then fed her a biscuit.
14. Have you seen the sandcastle we built?
15. I bounced the ball and Jack ran after it.
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/grammar/pronouns.pdf
http://www.kidsknowit.com/flash/animations/pronouns.swf
http://www.chompchomp.com/exercises.htm
Barangays of Bocaue
Bocaue, Bulacan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bocaue | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |||
| |||
 | |||
  Bocaue | |||
| Coordinates: 14°48′N 120°56′ECoordinates: 14°48′N 120°56′E | |||
| Country |  Philippines | ||
| Region | Central Luzon (Region III) | ||
| Province | Bulacan | ||
| District | 2nd District | ||
| Founded | April 11, 1606 | ||
| Barangays | 19 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Eduardo "Jon-Jon" Villanueva, Jr. (Bangon Pilipinas/Partido Del Pilar) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 31.87 km2 (12.3 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| - Total | 105,817 | ||
| - Density | 3,320.3/km2 (8,599.5/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) | ||
| ZIP code | 3018 | ||
| Income class | 1st class, urban municipality | ||
| Website | www.bulacan.gov.ph/bocaue | ||
| Population Census of Bocaue | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | Rate | |
| 1995 | 69,718 | ||
| 2000 | 86,994 | 4.87% | |
| 2007 | 105,817 | 2.74% | |
Bocaue (Filipino: Bukawe) is a first-class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. The municipality of Bocaue lies 24.5 kilometers northeast of Manila through the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Highway and is located at the mid-southwestern portion of Bulacan. The town is bounded on the north by the municipalities ofBalagtas and a portion of the municipality of Santa Maria; by the municipalities of Marilao and Obando on the south; a larger portion of Santa Maria on the east; a portion of the municipality of Bulacan on the extreme southwestern side; and a portion of Balagtas on the western side.
The town's name comes from the old Tagalog word "bokawe" which refers to a type of long bamboo. The town was established in 1606 by Spanish friars and was carved out from the nearby town of Marilao. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 105,817 people.
There are three road crossings in town that are heavily congested during the rush hours: Lolomboy, Wakas and Bocaue road crossings. The Bocaue River runs through most of the town, and the Bocaue Museum is located near the center. The Bocaue River Festival is celebrated on the first Sunday of every July. During the river festival of July 2, 1993, tragedy struck when around 500 people rode the floating pagoda of the miraculous Holy Cross of Wawa way beyond its capacity, causing it to sink, killing more than two hundred people. Despite the lives lost, no one has been made accountable for the tragedy. This incident became known as the Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy.
Bocaue is about 27 kilometers north of Manila through the North Luzon Expressway and the Bocaue Exit (in Barangay Turo). Its major industry is fireworks, making it the Fireworks Capital of the Philippines. It is also an education center in the Marilao/Sta. Maria/Balagtas municipalities area, with college education provided at St. Paul University (town center) and Dr. Yanga's Foundation College & Teaching Hospital; and private high school and elementary education at St. Paul College (Turo-Igulot boundary)---like the town center university operated by theSisters of St. Paul de Chartres---, Sto Niño Academy, Integrated School of Montessori (where the English Skills Masters Organization [ESkiMO] started), and Jesus Is Lord College Foundation (operated by the Jesus Is Lord Church).
A small art gallery beside the town's McDonald's restaurant called Twenty-Twenty (owned by the town's ophthalmologist and her art photographer husband) sells works by a number of Bulacan painters. Nationally-known Bocauenes in the arts include choreographer Francisca Reyes Aquino and TV actress Jewel Mische. Pro basketball player Billy Mamaril and pastor and two-time presidential candidate Eddie Villanueva are also from the town.
Bocaue is also famous for its Bocaue liempo (bacon) roast, crispy pata (cured beef brisket and shank), rellenong bangus (stuffed milkfish) and all sorts of rice cakes.
Contents[hide] |
[edit]Part of Manila's built-up area
With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the town is now included in the metropolis' built-up area, which reaches San Ildefonso, Bulacan at its northernmost part.
[edit]Barangays
Bocaue is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.
|
|
[edit]Civic administration
Mayors of Bocaue, Bulacan
Eduardo Villanueva, Jr. (2007–Present)
Serafin dela Cruz (2004–2007)
Eduardo Villanueva, Jr. (2001–2004)
Jose DG. Santiago, Sr. (1998–2001)
Serafin M. dela Cruz (1992–1998)
Lorenzo Gonzales (1988–1992)
Cesar N. Nicolas (1988)
Rudy Maran David (1986–1988)
Dioscorro Juan (1956–1958)
Moises E. Nicolas (1948–1952, 1958–1960, 1960–1964)
Evangelino Mendoza (unknown year)
Serafin dela Cruz (2004–2007)
Eduardo Villanueva, Jr. (2001–2004)
Jose DG. Santiago, Sr. (1998–2001)
Serafin M. dela Cruz (1992–1998)
Lorenzo Gonzales (1988–1992)
Cesar N. Nicolas (1988)
Rudy Maran David (1986–1988)
Dioscorro Juan (1956–1958)
Moises E. Nicolas (1948–1952, 1958–1960, 1960–1964)
Evangelino Mendoza (unknown year)
Vice Mayors of Bocaue, Bulacan
Jose Santiago, Jr. (2007–Present)
Kennedy Valdez (2004–2007)
Peter Christopher Gonzales (2001–2004)
Rogelio " Maestro " Ramos (1998–2001)
Antonio " Tony Boy " Mendoza (1995-1998)
Kennedy Valdez (2004–2007)
Peter Christopher Gonzales (2001–2004)
Rogelio " Maestro " Ramos (1998–2001)
Antonio " Tony Boy " Mendoza (1995-1998)
Serafin dela Cruz (unknown year)
Cesar N. Nicolas (1986–1988)
Moises E. Nicolas (1956–1958)
Cesar N. Nicolas (1986–1988)
Moises E. Nicolas (1956–1958)
[edit]See also
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