Elements of Short Fiction Tracker

Task: You will gather the following literary analysis/devices/information from the short stories that are read in class.

  1. Determine the POV- from what perspective is the story told? NOTE: if the POV is 1st person, you must also determine who is speaking
  2. Determine the protagonist(s), antagonist(s), and conflicts- who are the main characters and who/what is causing them to struggle? What is the struggle?
  3. Characterize any important people in the story (2 separate characters)
  4. Determine how the author develops the theme- what literary techniques and/or devices do the author use to get his/her message to the readers?
  • Irony-when what is said or what happens is the opposite of what is expected.
  • Foreshadowing- using clues to hint at things that will happen later/used to build suspense
  • Flashback-a scene that interrupts the present action of the plot to “flash backward” and tell what happened earlier
  • Symbolism- a specific object, person, place, or event that stands for itself & also represents something more abstract (a feeling or idea), that reinforces a major theme
  • Personification- giving a non-human thing, human qualities
  • Figurative Language/Imagery- words/phrases that help create a picture in the readers’ minds (similes (using like or as) and metaphors)
  • Diction- word choice
  • Motif- a recurring concept/structure (ex. “time” in Gatsby , “sleep” in Macbeth)
  1. Determine what the theme is, and think about how it is applicable to your life and/or human nature.

Literature Breakdown #1

Title:
Literary Genre: / Author:
Plot: In 8-12 sentences, summarize story
Point of View:
Protagonist: / Antagonist(s):
Conflicts (minimum of 4):
Characterization #1:
A)Actions:
B)Feelings
C)Thoughts:
D)others Opinions:
E) Reactions:
F)Author’s words:
Words that describe appearance, how they speak, any quotes that describe the character…
Characterization #2:
G)Actions:
H)Feelings
I)Thoughts:
J)others Opinions:
K) Reactions:
L)Author’s words:
Words that describe appearance, how they speak, any quotes that describe the character…
Describe any examples of IRONY in this story (minimum of 3).
Describe any examples of SYMBOLISMin this story (minimum of 3).
Describe any other literary devices used: (see first page instructions)
Explain this story’s THEME(S) (minimum of 2).
Explain how the story falls into the literary movement that it is categorized: (think archetypal themes, setting, characters, etc.)

Literature Breakdown #2

Title:
Literary Genre: / Author:
Plot: In 8-12 sentences, summarize story
Point of View:
Protagonist: / Antagonist(s):
Conflicts (minimum of 4):
Characterization #1:
A)Actions:
B)Feelings
C)Thoughts:
D)others Opinions:
E) Reactions:
F)Author’s words:
Words that describe appearance, how they speak, any quotes that describe the character…
Characterization #2:
G)Actions:
H)Feelings
I)Thoughts:
J)others Opinions:
K) Reactions:
L)Author’s words:
Words that describe appearance, how they speak, any quotes that describe the character…
Describe any examples of IRONY in this story (minimum of 3).
Describe any examples of SYMBOLISM in this story (minimum of 3).
Describe any other literary devices used: (see first page instructions)
Explain this story’s THEME(S) (minimum of 2).
Explain how the story falls into the literary movement that it is categorized: (think archetypal themes, setting, characters, etc.)

Literature Breakdown #3

Title:
Literary Genre: / Author:
Plot: In 8-12 sentences, summarize story
Point of View:
Protagonist: / Antagonist(s):
Conflicts (minimum of 4):
Characterization #1:
A)Actions:
B)Feelings
C)Thoughts:
D)others Opinions:
E) Reactions:
F)Author’s words:
Words that describe appearance, how they speak, any quotes that describe the character…
Characterization #2:
G)Actions:
H)Feelings
I)Thoughts:
J)others Opinions:
K) Reactions:
L)Author’s words:
Words that describe appearance, how they speak, any quotes that describe the character…
Describe any examples of IRONY in this story (minimum of 3).
Describe any examples of SYMBOLISM in this story (minimum of 3).
Describe any other literary devices used: (see first page instructions)
Explain this story’s THEME(S) (minimum of 2).
Explain how the story falls into the literary movement that it is categorized: (think archetypal themes, setting, characters, etc.)

Literature Breakdown #4

Title:
Literary Genre: / Author:
Plot: In 8-12 sentences, summarize story
Point of View:
Protagonist: / Antagonist(s):
Conflicts (minimum of 4):
Characterization #1:
A)Actions:
B)Feelings
C)Thoughts:
D)others Opinions:
E) Reactions:
F)Author’s words:
Words that describe appearance, how they speak, any quotes that describe the character…
Characterization #2:
G)Actions:
H)Feelings
I)Thoughts:
J)others Opinions:
K) Reactions:
L)Author’s words:
Words that describe appearance, how they speak, any quotes that describe the character…
Describe any examples of IRONY in this story (minimum of 3).
Describe any examples of SYMBOLISM in this story (minimum of 3).
Describe any other literary devices used: (see first page instructions)
Explain this story’s THEME(S) (minimum of 2).
Explain how the story falls into the literary movement that it is categorized: (think archetypal themes, setting, characters, etc.)