SHORT STORY ANALYSIS—Answer the following questions for ...



SHORT STORY ANALYSIS

After you’ve read your short story, consider these questions to help you analyze the story in preparation for research. As you answer the questions, underline passages in the story that connect to your answers and make additional notes in the margins. Your goal is to make an assertion about the author’s purpose in writing the story (the theme) and determine the two primary literary elements used to develop that theme.

1. Explain the title. In what way is it suitable to the story?

2. What is the predominant element in the story - plot, theme, character, setting? How do you know?

3. Who is the single main character around whom the story centers? What are they like (describe them)?

4. What sort of conflict(s) confronts the leading character or characters (internal and external)? Explain.

5. How is the conflict resolved?

6. Who tells the story? What point of view is used?

7. Where does the primary action take place?

8. What is the time setting for the action? Period of history? Season? Time of day?

9. How much time does the story cover?

(The following questions deal with the Freytag’s Pyramid.

10. How does the story get started? What is the initial incident?

11. Briefly describe the rising action of the story.

12. What is the high point, or climax, of the story?

13. Discuss the falling action and resolution (close) of the story.

14. Is this story realistic or true to life? Explain your answers by giving examples.

15. Are the events or incidents of the plot presented in flashback or in chronological order?

16. Did you identify with any of the characters?

17. Was there a villain in the story? a hero? a dynamic character?

18. Can you find any examples of figurative language? List the line(s).

a. simile?

b. metaphor?

c. personification?

19. Identify one major personality trait of each leading character, and tell how the author makes the reader conscious of this trait.

20. Does this story create any special mood?

21. Does the story have a moral? If not, what do you think the purpose of the author was?

22. What is the general theme of the story? What is the underlying theme?

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