edgar allan poe = murders in the rue morgue, the tell-tale heart, the fall of the house of usher...
TRANSCRIPT
The Short Story
How to write the best short
story ever!
Who are the 2 BEST short story writers ever? (besides
you!) Edgar Allan Poe = Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher (also wrote The Raven)
Anton Chekov = The Lady and the Pet Dog, Misery, The Cherry Orchard
These are the ‘rules’ Purpose = to entertain and instruct Plot commences in ‘media res’ = gets
straight into it Limited number of characters and events Should be a ‘snapshot’ = no need to give
the background or the character’s life story
Now, for the 2 most important
rules!
Show don’t tell! Show your reader what is happening
don’t explain it to them.
They aren’t dumb dumbs – they can figure out what is happening without you explaining EVERYTHING.
No unnecessary detail!
“If I have a gun hanging on the wall…then that gun must be fired by the time the story
ends.”
Anton Chekov
Climax
Short Story Structure
Orientation – grab your reader by the
throat!!
2-3 events which
gradually build suspense Resolution =
cliffhanger, twist
NOW, IT’S TIME TO FIND THESE FEATURES IN A SHORT STORY!
Excellent…
Avon…
Structure How does the orientation of the story
engage the reader? What complications occur in the story
that build suspense and lead up to the climax?
What is the climax of the short story? How does the short story end? Why is
this ending effective/ineffective?
Key symbol
s in the text
Analysis of symbols
Time: Winter, evening
Winter is associated with dead things, endings and darkness. The fact that the woman arrives in the evening suggests that she works under the cover of darkness, or is associated with evil, or perhaps even the supernatural. This time also helps to create a gloomy, pensive and impending atmosphere.
Find examples in the text of:
Alliteration (1) Assonance (1) Personification (2) Metaphor (3) Simile (3) Appeals to the 5 senses (5 – aim for
one of each)
How is the woman represented as a supernatural being? Find examples.
Who/what do you think the woman symbolises?
What is the invited reading of the text?
What is your favourite line/description and why?