Как написать устный рассказ

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Вступление

Хочу предупредить сразу: это не инструкция по созданию опусов, способных затмить Хемингуэя, Шукшина и О’Генри. Да ты вообще слышал эти имена? Нет? Так я и думал. Да, ты совсем недавно (по историческим меркам) сдал ЕГЭ, потом на деньги папы и мамы окончил (кстати, правильно в русском языке будет именно «окончил», а не «закончил»!) бакалаврат, может быть, даже магистрат чего-то там и теперь готов поведать urbi et orbi о своём – о, конечно же! – богатейшем внутреннем мире, без знания о котором человечество обречено на жалкое прозябание и культурную деградацию.

Прежде, чем выбрать тяжёлую и неблагодарную писательскую стезю, ты, конечно же, ознакомился с современной библиографией. Ну и как? Кто же они – российские властители дум? Ну, выбор довольно-таки широк: от писателя-патриота Захара Прилепина до шизоидного автора романа со сценами каннибализма, где домашние с гостями поедают молодую девицу, только что запечённую живьём в печи. Последний даже удостоился сжигания своих книг на площади движением «Наши», и совершенно напрасно, я считаю, ибо «нашисты» только составили автору дополнительный пиар. В промежутке между ними разместилась эстетствующая дама с её погрязшими в бытовухе персонажами; разговаривающий с публикой через губу кудрявый поэт и русофобствующий эстет, живущий уже вне России. Есть ещё гламурная, пожилая девушка с украинским именем и псевдонемецкой фамилией, пишущая в стиле мобильных СМС о тяжёлой доле российского олигархата и сосуществующих с ним приживалок. Это основные.

Ну, что, поехали?

Как начать писать рассказ

Для этого нужно определиться, о чём он будет. То есть определиться с сюжетом. Слово это французское, и означает оно саму канву повествования, где всё логически и композиционно связано и вытекает одно из другого. Именно сюжет обозначает последовательность событий в истории, которую ты решился поведать потенциальному читателю.

Иногда слово «сюжет» заменяют словом «фабула». Разные источники трактуют это слово уже латинского происхождения по-разному: то ставя между ними знак равенства, то чётко разграничивая их смысл. Я бы сказал, что фабула – это набросок сюжета, яснее видимый автору, чем читателю, и при написании рассказа, выстраивая сюжет, он как раз и руководствуется именно фабулой. То есть это вещь для внутреннего употребления.

Чтобы правильно выстроить сюжет, можно использовать различные композиционные элементы. К ним относятся:

Экспозиция.

Она же предисловие. Писательский приём, вводящий читателя в сюжет и определяющая его рамки.

Завязка

Определяющая характеры и действия героев часть текста, где начитается (завязывается) конфликт, который и является движущей силой произведения. Сюжета без завязки быть не может – тогда это уже не сюжет.

Впрочем, великие мастера слова иногда баловались бессюжетными рассказами. Но, во-первых, у них было имя и они могли позволить себе поиздеваться над снобами из публики. На робкие замечания литературных критиков же в ответ звучало «я так вижу!». Во-вторых, какой же издатель откажет маститому автору в публикации даже явной белиберды, оправдывая себя тем, что писатель имеет право на эксперимент со словом? Имеет. Как и на пощёчину общественному вкусу.

Развитие

Слово говорит само за себя: развитие сюжетных линий, их переплетение, намечающиеся гипотетические последствия тех или иных событий. На этом этапе читатель начинает активно сопереживать героям и пытается предугадать дальнейшее развитие сюжета.

Что, не пытается? Плохо! Тогда ты его не зацепил.

Кульминация

Точка бифуркации – когда события могут пойти как по одному пути, намеченному героями или автором, так и по другому, что в итоге может родить два радикально отличающихся в финале друг от друга сюжета. Это как чаша весов – куда всё качнётся? Момент, произойдёт совпадение событий, разрубающее клубок проблем и противоречий.

Развязка

Все сюжетные линии сходятся в одной точке, разрешаются конфликты и недоразумения между персонажами, они что-то находят для себя, их дальнейшая жизнь становится более или менее ясной. Зло, как правило, наказывается, а Добро если и не торжествует, то, по крайней мере, не несёт неприемлемого ущерба. Если развязка трагическая, то и трагедия персонажей служит делу Добра и Света.

Эпилог

Он же финал. Он же послесловие. В принципе, необязательная часть литературного произведения: иногда нужен элемент недосказанности автором только что описанного сюжета, где читателю предоставляется возможность пофантазировать.

О чем можно написать рассказ

О чём угодно! Это могут быть даже фантастические размышления старого дерева, много повидавшего на своём веку. По ходу повествования могут всплывать картины из его прошлого, которые определят ход событий в рассказе, а в финале под деревом могут появиться люди или животные, которые круто изменят ход событий, сделав концовку рассказа парадоксальной и неожиданной.

Или о старой, покрытой пылью и погрызенной мышами соломенной шляпе, висящей на гвозде в чулане. И о её новой жизни в качестве головного убора для огородного пугала. Ну, а что? Всё лучше, чем сгореть в костре вместе другими старыми вещами! Всё-таки новая жизнь…

Как придумать рассказ

Наблюдая жизнь, делая какие-то обобщения. И, естественно, не стоит браться за прозу, имея нулевой жизненный опыт. И хотя литературоведы утверждают, что всё великое многообразие мировой литературы сводится к всего нескольким, как бы не к семи, базовым сюжетам, поток прозы не иссякает. Сколько, по-вашему, можно оставить сочетаний из семи цифр? Около 10 миллионов. Написано ли и опубликовано столько за всю историю человечества? Сомневаюсь.

Мало жизненного опыта, чтобы написать рассказ, стать автором истории? А уши на что? Есть великолепные рассказчики, являющиеся авторами только устной формы рассказа. Это то, что называется «байками» (не путать с двух-трёхколёсными средствами байкеров-мотоциклистов). Слушай, мотай на ус, творчески переосмысливая услышанное, добавляй, наконец, своё! Возьми рассказчика в соавторы – если он амбициозен, или не бери, а просто упомяни о нём, как источнике сюжета, в завязке или в финале рассказа.

К финалу стоит добавить несколько соображений о роли пейзажа и интерьера в написании рассказа. Не верь снобам, утверждающим, что эти атрибуты повествования изжили себя. Они просто не умеют этого описывать. Живое, сочное описание пейзажа или интерьера, в которых происходят события, может стать отличной и оригинальной рамкой для сюжета, подчеркнуть характеры героев, да и просто доставить эстетическое наслаждение манерой описания.

Одна проблема – для этого нужно найти свежие, незатасканные метафоры, синонимы, антонимы и прочие элементы литературного слога. Что трудно – имея в виду, что все мы пользуемся и в творчестве, и в обиходе одними и теми же словами.

Талант писателя и состоит в том, чтобы из известных слов-кирпичиков выстроить оригинальное, никем ещё не виданное, здание. И пусть оно не будет дворцом: крепкий, добротный деревенский дом тоже может доставить эстетическое удовольствие.

Дерзайте!

Автор: Владимир Тамбовцев

If you’re looking to improve your writing skills in general or even learn how to write your first novel, you may have heard that writing short stories is a good way to start. But if you’re not sure how to write a short story, it can feel intimidating to begin. Don’t worry. You’re not alone. And we’re here to tell you that writing a good short story is easier than you think.

So, what’s a short story anyway, and how exactly do people write them?

We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about short stories, starting with what a short story is, the elements of a short story, the types of short stories, and six steps to start writing your first short story today.

What is a short story?

A short story is a type of prose fiction. By “fiction,” we mean that the characters and events in the story aren’t real. That said, a short story can also include events that happened in real life. This type of writing is historical fiction.

By “prose,” we mean that a short story isn’t a type of poetry with verses, rhyming, meter, and so on.

Short stories typically focus on a single plot incident or a series of closely linked incidents. They also tend to evoke a single mood, whether the mood is dark, happy, or mysterious. This is very different from a novel, which can involve many complicated plotlines and evoke many moods throughout.

In addition, short stories often have fewer characters compared to novels. Short story characters are fully developed, but their interactions are limited to advancing the plot and evoking the mood of the short story.

Finally, short stories are usually meant for reading in a single sitting. Most short stories are between 5,000 and 10,000 words long, though some can be as short as a few hundred words or as long as 30,000 words.

While writing your first short story shouldn’t take as long as writing your first book, it’s not always easy. That’s because short stories are so focused. There’s a single theme, a single mood, and a single conflict. So, if you’re having a hard time with your first short story, you’re not alone. Here are six easy steps to help you along as you write your short story.  

1. Pick a moral or theme for your short story

Remember that the moral or theme of the short story acts as a framework for everything else. That’s why it’s a good idea to think about a theme first. Will your story’s theme be about having the courage to be vulnerable? Or will it be about the power of love and family over money and possessions?

Writers rarely lack the overriding desire to change the world with the stories they tell. A moral argument doesn’t mean that you have to be religious and tell a religious story. It just means that you have something you believe is important for people to know, do, or believe, and you want to use the vehicle of a story to communicate it. What do you want to communicate to your reader about how people should behave in the world? 

Another way to think about it is realizing that all stories are about a conflict between good and evil. Your moral argument is the way your character overcomes a specific evil. Though the opportunity for character development is limited in short stories, your character should have a moral dilemma in the beginning that they solve by the end of the story, and how they do this is your theme.

Whenever you feel stuck during the writing process, think about your theme and how your characters or plot event can help readers better understand the theme you’ve chosen.

2. Develop a small cast of characters

It’s easier than you think to create a long list of characters, heroes, and villains for your story. But the trick to writing a short story is to keep the character list short. Each character you create should play a vital role in your story.

A rule of thumb is that a short story needs just two or three characters: a protagonist, a supporting character, and sometimes an antagonist.

The protagonist is the main character in your short story. The reader cares about your protagonist and will want to cheer them on during the story’s conflict. At the same time, no character is perfect. Your protagonist should have a weakness that makes it harder for them to win the conflict and keeps the readers in suspense.

Your supporting character is also on the side of your protagonist. Supporting characters, also called relationship characters, help the protagonist grow as a character so that they can triumph in the story’s conflict.

If your conflict involves two people, your short story should also include an antagonist, or villain. Readers need someone to root against in a conflict, and this is the main purpose of the antagonist.

3. Create an intense conflict

While characters are important in any short story, conflict is what brings those characters to life. Conflict will be the main source of tension and suspense that keeps your readers’ attention. Conflict is also what helps characters change and grow by the story’s end.

A short story only needs one conflict, and the readers should know what it is from the beginning. That said, even a single conflict can make an intense story. Don’t be afraid to put your characters in bad situations to show what they’re made of. Your readers will love it.

4. Write for the senses

It’s true that short stories are very plot-driven, but that doesn’t mean you should leave out the imagery. Transport readers to the world of your short story by describing how everything smells, feels, looks, and tastes.

For example, consider this line:

“The smell of gingerbread woke her from her nap.”

Then compare it to this one:

“The aroma of the warm spices wafted down the hall and pulled her from her sleep.”

The more you describe your world, the more your readers will be right there with you.

5. Proofread, revise, and edit your story

After you’ve written your story, you want to make sure you’ve produced a polished narrative, which means reading it through again and making sure your sentences flow, your dialogue sounds authentic, and there are no mechanical errors.

6. Start writing. Anything.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “The perfect is the enemy of the good?” This is quite true when it comes to writing. It’s all too easy to feel like you can’t write down anything unless it’s perfect the first time. We suggest the opposite. The next time you sit down to continue your short story, write down what comes to mind. It doesn’t have to fit with what you’ve already written. It doesn’t even have to be in complete sentences. Start writing words, paragraphs, or even pages. Then look back at your work and start editing. Fill out the missing words and the plot gaps and delete what doesn’t make sense. Before you know it, you’ll be in your writing zone and totally immersed in the world of your short story.

Elements of a short story

Short stories have been around for thousands of years and are popular in every culture today. While there are many different styles and types of short stories, almost all short stories share the same basic elements:

Character

A character is a person or animal involved in the events of a short story. Characters interact with each other based on their personalities, motives, and what they know about other characters.

A character can be one-dimensional or multidimensional. One-dimensional characters have one personality trait that affects everything they do. A stereotypical fairy-tale villain is an example of a one-dimensional character. On the other hand, multidimensional characters have several personality traits that sometimes conflict with each other. An example of a multidimensional character might be a greedy businessman who also cares about his family.

Characters in short stories are less complex than those in novels. Short story writers add to their characters’ personalities only when it will help enhance the mood or move the story’s plot.

Point of View

Point of view (POV) is the angle from which your story is told. Will your main character tell the story or will someone else? Will the one telling the story even be a part of the story or just be an outside observer? There are three main POVs you can choose to tell your story from:

• First person. The person telling the story is your main character and narrates from their perspective, using first-person pronouns. (I, me, we.)
• Third-person limited: The person telling the story is an outside observer who isn’t a character in the story. The narrator tells the reader the thoughts and feelings of one of the characters, typically the main character. This POV uses third-person personal pronouns (he, she, they, it). This POV works well if you want to have something hidden from your main character that one of your other characters is thinking.
• Third-person omniscient. This narrator knows all, meaning they can tell the reader anything any character is thinking or feeling. You’ll also use third-person personal pronouns (he, she, they, it) in this POV.

Setting

All stories have to happen somewhere. The setting of a short story is the time and place where the story takes place. But keep in mind that the setting is more than just a specific place. For example, if your story occurs in a house, it’s important to know the country or region too. At the same time, the setting should include the general time period and the time of the year or even the time of day.

Short story writers can use setting as a very effective literary device to express the mood of their short story. For example, a story that happens on a winter night in a lonely mountain village already conveys a dark, ominous mood. But a story set on a spring day in a prosperous town expresses a cheerful mood.

Conflict

A conflict is a problem within a short story. For example, in O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi,” a married couple wants to give each other expensive gifts but can’t afford to do so. Thus, poverty is the main conflict in this short story.

The main characters are always on one side of a conflict in a short story. But there are several types of possible conflict. They include:

• Character vs. character. Two different people in the story work against each other.
• Character vs. self. A person must overcome something about her- or himself, such as a negative personality trait or addiction.
• Character vs. nature. A person must survive in the wilderness or in some way withstand the elements.
• Character vs. society. A person must work against social institutions such as prejudice or classism.

Most short stories end by ending, or resolving, the conflict. Typically, the main character comes out as the winner, but this doesn’t always happen. 

Plot

The plot is the series of events and actions that happen in a short story. The plot of a short story drives character interactions and develops the conflict. In fact, one way to think of the plot is as the glue that brings together the characters, setting, and conflict of the short story.

The easiest way to think about the plot of your story is to start with your protagonist. What is your main character’s flaw, and what is their goal in the story? For example, in the short story “Memento Mori” by Jonathan Nolan, a story that was adapted into the movie “Memento,” the main character wants to find the person responsible for murdering his wife. 

The next thing to think through is what is opposing your character from reaching their goal? In “Memento Mori,” the main character’s inability to remember anything is his opposition to reaching his goal. In the movie adaptation, the opposition is compounded by antagonists who take advantage of the protagonist’s amnesia. 

The plot of your story is the journey your character goes through to overcome the opposition to reach their goal or not. In fact, your character may realize that the goal they were pursuing was the wrong goal and will end up reaching a different goal. Because of the brevity of short stories, your story will usually focus on one major story event that decides whether or not the protagonist reaches the story goal. Short story plots typically follow the structure below:

• Exposition. This is the part at the beginning of your story where you will introduce your reader to your story world and your character(s).
• Rising action. This is the part where the story begins to get complicated for the protagonist as the conflict intensifies.
• Climax. This is the highest point of conflict in the story. At this point, your reader should wonder if the protagonist will overcome the opposition.
• Falling action. This is the part of the story where things start to go back to normal or reach a new normal as the conflict either resolves or not. The reader should feel that the story is winding down and the results of what the protagonist accomplished in the climax are becoming apparent.
• Resolution. This is the conclusion of the story that ties up all the loose ends of your story. The reader should get the impression of either a happy or sad ending.

Just remember that you’re writing a short story, so you’ll have to move through these plot points quickly without making the story feel rushed.

Theme

The theme of the short story is the central point or idea of the story. Common short story themes include:

• Love
• Friendship
• Death
• Good vs. evil
• Coming of age
• Survival
• Courage

The theme acts as a framework for the short story, and all other parts of the story should relate to the story’s theme.

Types of short stories

Chances are that you’ve already come across many short stories throughout your life. Here are a few common types of short stories and their characteristics to help give you some short story ideas.

Anecdote

An anecdote is often called “a story with a point.” People write and tell anecdotes to express a message through a short narrative. By the end of the anecdote, the readers understand not only the story but also the larger point or “lesson” of the story. Typically, characters in an anecdote are people in believable situations.

Fable

While an anecdote involves humans and realistic settings, fables are the opposite. Almost everyone can think of a fable, which involve talking animals, legendary beings, or other fantastical elements. Fables can be set on Earth or take place in magical lands far away and long ago.

But, like anecdotes, fables are stories with a point. The main purpose of a fable is to convey a moral.

Feghoot

A vulture boards an airplane with two dead raccoons. The flight attendant turns to the vulture and says, “I’m sorry, only one carrion allowed per passenger.”

If you love puns, then you’ll love feghoots. This funny type of short story has one goal in mind: to lead the reader to a groan-worthy pun. And, of course, the best feghoot writers keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Flash fiction

On the shorter end of the short story spectrum is flash fiction. This type of short story is less than 1,000 words long. Yet just because flash fiction is short doesn’t mean it’s easy. Good flash fiction writers include all of the important elements of a short story in less than two pages of writing. That’s why flash fiction competitions are so popular all over the world. There are even competitions that limit short stories to 500 or even 100 words.

Vignette

A short story meant to be part of a larger story or work is a vignette. The purpose of a vignette is to focus on a single moment about one part of the larger story. This could be a particular character, idea, or object.

Writing a short story is easier than you think

Writing short stories is a lot of fun, and it’s great practice for writing longer stories. It forces you to focus on what’s most important to the story you’re telling, and you get the unmatched feeling of knowing you took a story idea from concept to completion. If you decide to start writing short stories, you’re in great company. Stephen King, arguably one of the greatest storytellers around, began his career writing short stories for literary magazines. You can begin your journey to writing success by writing short stories as well.
Learning how to write a short story can seem daunting, but we’re here to tell you that it’s easier than you think. Professional writers from all over the world help people like you become better short story writers through online courses, master classes, and seminars. Once you have mastered the art of short story writing, you’ll find yourself better prepared to learn how to write a novel too. All it takes is a little learning and practice.

If you’re looking to improve your writing skills in general or even learn how to write your first novel, you may have heard that writing short stories is a good way to start. But if you’re not sure how to write a short story, it can feel intimidating to begin. Don’t worry. You’re not alone. And we’re here to tell you that writing a good short story is easier than you think.

So, what’s a short story anyway, and how exactly do people write them?

We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about short stories, starting with what a short story is, the elements of a short story, the types of short stories, and six steps to start writing your first short story today.

What is a short story?

A short story is a type of prose fiction. By “fiction,” we mean that the characters and events in the story aren’t real. That said, a short story can also include events that happened in real life. This type of writing is historical fiction.

By “prose,” we mean that a short story isn’t a type of poetry with verses, rhyming, meter, and so on.

Short stories typically focus on a single plot incident or a series of closely linked incidents. They also tend to evoke a single mood, whether the mood is dark, happy, or mysterious. This is very different from a novel, which can involve many complicated plotlines and evoke many moods throughout.

In addition, short stories often have fewer characters compared to novels. Short story characters are fully developed, but their interactions are limited to advancing the plot and evoking the mood of the short story.

Finally, short stories are usually meant for reading in a single sitting. Most short stories are between 5,000 and 10,000 words long, though some can be as short as a few hundred words or as long as 30,000 words.

While writing your first short story shouldn’t take as long as writing your first book, it’s not always easy. That’s because short stories are so focused. There’s a single theme, a single mood, and a single conflict. So, if you’re having a hard time with your first short story, you’re not alone. Here are six easy steps to help you along as you write your short story.  

1. Pick a moral or theme for your short story

Remember that the moral or theme of the short story acts as a framework for everything else. That’s why it’s a good idea to think about a theme first. Will your story’s theme be about having the courage to be vulnerable? Or will it be about the power of love and family over money and possessions?

Writers rarely lack the overriding desire to change the world with the stories they tell. A moral argument doesn’t mean that you have to be religious and tell a religious story. It just means that you have something you believe is important for people to know, do, or believe, and you want to use the vehicle of a story to communicate it. What do you want to communicate to your reader about how people should behave in the world? 

Another way to think about it is realizing that all stories are about a conflict between good and evil. Your moral argument is the way your character overcomes a specific evil. Though the opportunity for character development is limited in short stories, your character should have a moral dilemma in the beginning that they solve by the end of the story, and how they do this is your theme.

Whenever you feel stuck during the writing process, think about your theme and how your characters or plot event can help readers better understand the theme you’ve chosen.

2. Develop a small cast of characters

It’s easier than you think to create a long list of characters, heroes, and villains for your story. But the trick to writing a short story is to keep the character list short. Each character you create should play a vital role in your story.

A rule of thumb is that a short story needs just two or three characters: a protagonist, a supporting character, and sometimes an antagonist.

The protagonist is the main character in your short story. The reader cares about your protagonist and will want to cheer them on during the story’s conflict. At the same time, no character is perfect. Your protagonist should have a weakness that makes it harder for them to win the conflict and keeps the readers in suspense.

Your supporting character is also on the side of your protagonist. Supporting characters, also called relationship characters, help the protagonist grow as a character so that they can triumph in the story’s conflict.

If your conflict involves two people, your short story should also include an antagonist, or villain. Readers need someone to root against in a conflict, and this is the main purpose of the antagonist.

3. Create an intense conflict

While characters are important in any short story, conflict is what brings those characters to life. Conflict will be the main source of tension and suspense that keeps your readers’ attention. Conflict is also what helps characters change and grow by the story’s end.

A short story only needs one conflict, and the readers should know what it is from the beginning. That said, even a single conflict can make an intense story. Don’t be afraid to put your characters in bad situations to show what they’re made of. Your readers will love it.

4. Write for the senses

It’s true that short stories are very plot-driven, but that doesn’t mean you should leave out the imagery. Transport readers to the world of your short story by describing how everything smells, feels, looks, and tastes.

For example, consider this line:

“The smell of gingerbread woke her from her nap.”

Then compare it to this one:

“The aroma of the warm spices wafted down the hall and pulled her from her sleep.”

The more you describe your world, the more your readers will be right there with you.

5. Proofread, revise, and edit your story

After you’ve written your story, you want to make sure you’ve produced a polished narrative, which means reading it through again and making sure your sentences flow, your dialogue sounds authentic, and there are no mechanical errors.

6. Start writing. Anything.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “The perfect is the enemy of the good?” This is quite true when it comes to writing. It’s all too easy to feel like you can’t write down anything unless it’s perfect the first time. We suggest the opposite. The next time you sit down to continue your short story, write down what comes to mind. It doesn’t have to fit with what you’ve already written. It doesn’t even have to be in complete sentences. Start writing words, paragraphs, or even pages. Then look back at your work and start editing. Fill out the missing words and the plot gaps and delete what doesn’t make sense. Before you know it, you’ll be in your writing zone and totally immersed in the world of your short story.

Elements of a short story

Short stories have been around for thousands of years and are popular in every culture today. While there are many different styles and types of short stories, almost all short stories share the same basic elements:

Character

A character is a person or animal involved in the events of a short story. Characters interact with each other based on their personalities, motives, and what they know about other characters.

A character can be one-dimensional or multidimensional. One-dimensional characters have one personality trait that affects everything they do. A stereotypical fairy-tale villain is an example of a one-dimensional character. On the other hand, multidimensional characters have several personality traits that sometimes conflict with each other. An example of a multidimensional character might be a greedy businessman who also cares about his family.

Characters in short stories are less complex than those in novels. Short story writers add to their characters’ personalities only when it will help enhance the mood or move the story’s plot.

Point of View

Point of view (POV) is the angle from which your story is told. Will your main character tell the story or will someone else? Will the one telling the story even be a part of the story or just be an outside observer? There are three main POVs you can choose to tell your story from:

• First person. The person telling the story is your main character and narrates from their perspective, using first-person pronouns. (I, me, we.)
• Third-person limited: The person telling the story is an outside observer who isn’t a character in the story. The narrator tells the reader the thoughts and feelings of one of the characters, typically the main character. This POV uses third-person personal pronouns (he, she, they, it). This POV works well if you want to have something hidden from your main character that one of your other characters is thinking.
• Third-person omniscient. This narrator knows all, meaning they can tell the reader anything any character is thinking or feeling. You’ll also use third-person personal pronouns (he, she, they, it) in this POV.

Setting

All stories have to happen somewhere. The setting of a short story is the time and place where the story takes place. But keep in mind that the setting is more than just a specific place. For example, if your story occurs in a house, it’s important to know the country or region too. At the same time, the setting should include the general time period and the time of the year or even the time of day.

Short story writers can use setting as a very effective literary device to express the mood of their short story. For example, a story that happens on a winter night in a lonely mountain village already conveys a dark, ominous mood. But a story set on a spring day in a prosperous town expresses a cheerful mood.

Conflict

A conflict is a problem within a short story. For example, in O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi,” a married couple wants to give each other expensive gifts but can’t afford to do so. Thus, poverty is the main conflict in this short story.

The main characters are always on one side of a conflict in a short story. But there are several types of possible conflict. They include:

• Character vs. character. Two different people in the story work against each other.
• Character vs. self. A person must overcome something about her- or himself, such as a negative personality trait or addiction.
• Character vs. nature. A person must survive in the wilderness or in some way withstand the elements.
• Character vs. society. A person must work against social institutions such as prejudice or classism.

Most short stories end by ending, or resolving, the conflict. Typically, the main character comes out as the winner, but this doesn’t always happen. 

Plot

The plot is the series of events and actions that happen in a short story. The plot of a short story drives character interactions and develops the conflict. In fact, one way to think of the plot is as the glue that brings together the characters, setting, and conflict of the short story.

The easiest way to think about the plot of your story is to start with your protagonist. What is your main character’s flaw, and what is their goal in the story? For example, in the short story “Memento Mori” by Jonathan Nolan, a story that was adapted into the movie “Memento,” the main character wants to find the person responsible for murdering his wife. 

The next thing to think through is what is opposing your character from reaching their goal? In “Memento Mori,” the main character’s inability to remember anything is his opposition to reaching his goal. In the movie adaptation, the opposition is compounded by antagonists who take advantage of the protagonist’s amnesia. 

The plot of your story is the journey your character goes through to overcome the opposition to reach their goal or not. In fact, your character may realize that the goal they were pursuing was the wrong goal and will end up reaching a different goal. Because of the brevity of short stories, your story will usually focus on one major story event that decides whether or not the protagonist reaches the story goal. Short story plots typically follow the structure below:

• Exposition. This is the part at the beginning of your story where you will introduce your reader to your story world and your character(s).
• Rising action. This is the part where the story begins to get complicated for the protagonist as the conflict intensifies.
• Climax. This is the highest point of conflict in the story. At this point, your reader should wonder if the protagonist will overcome the opposition.
• Falling action. This is the part of the story where things start to go back to normal or reach a new normal as the conflict either resolves or not. The reader should feel that the story is winding down and the results of what the protagonist accomplished in the climax are becoming apparent.
• Resolution. This is the conclusion of the story that ties up all the loose ends of your story. The reader should get the impression of either a happy or sad ending.

Just remember that you’re writing a short story, so you’ll have to move through these plot points quickly without making the story feel rushed.

Theme

The theme of the short story is the central point or idea of the story. Common short story themes include:

• Love
• Friendship
• Death
• Good vs. evil
• Coming of age
• Survival
• Courage

The theme acts as a framework for the short story, and all other parts of the story should relate to the story’s theme.

Types of short stories

Chances are that you’ve already come across many short stories throughout your life. Here are a few common types of short stories and their characteristics to help give you some short story ideas.

Anecdote

An anecdote is often called “a story with a point.” People write and tell anecdotes to express a message through a short narrative. By the end of the anecdote, the readers understand not only the story but also the larger point or “lesson” of the story. Typically, characters in an anecdote are people in believable situations.

Fable

While an anecdote involves humans and realistic settings, fables are the opposite. Almost everyone can think of a fable, which involve talking animals, legendary beings, or other fantastical elements. Fables can be set on Earth or take place in magical lands far away and long ago.

But, like anecdotes, fables are stories with a point. The main purpose of a fable is to convey a moral.

Feghoot

A vulture boards an airplane with two dead raccoons. The flight attendant turns to the vulture and says, “I’m sorry, only one carrion allowed per passenger.”

If you love puns, then you’ll love feghoots. This funny type of short story has one goal in mind: to lead the reader to a groan-worthy pun. And, of course, the best feghoot writers keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Flash fiction

On the shorter end of the short story spectrum is flash fiction. This type of short story is less than 1,000 words long. Yet just because flash fiction is short doesn’t mean it’s easy. Good flash fiction writers include all of the important elements of a short story in less than two pages of writing. That’s why flash fiction competitions are so popular all over the world. There are even competitions that limit short stories to 500 or even 100 words.

Vignette

A short story meant to be part of a larger story or work is a vignette. The purpose of a vignette is to focus on a single moment about one part of the larger story. This could be a particular character, idea, or object.

Writing a short story is easier than you think

Writing short stories is a lot of fun, and it’s great practice for writing longer stories. It forces you to focus on what’s most important to the story you’re telling, and you get the unmatched feeling of knowing you took a story idea from concept to completion. If you decide to start writing short stories, you’re in great company. Stephen King, arguably one of the greatest storytellers around, began his career writing short stories for literary magazines. You can begin your journey to writing success by writing short stories as well.
Learning how to write a short story can seem daunting, but we’re here to tell you that it’s easier than you think. Professional writers from all over the world help people like you become better short story writers through online courses, master classes, and seminars. Once you have mastered the art of short story writing, you’ll find yourself better prepared to learn how to write a novel too. All it takes is a little learning and practice.

Русский язык

5 класс

Урок 78

Рассказ

Перечень вопросов, рассматриваемых по теме

1. Анализ речевых ситуаций сюжетных картинок;

2. Развитие представлений о рассказе как о виде повествования;

3. Приёмы написания устного рассказа по сюжетным картинкам.

Тезаурус

Диалог (от греч. dialogos ‒ разговор, беседа) ‒ форма словесного выражения, основная для разговорного языка: разговор между двумя или несколькими лицами.

Композиция – построение художественного произведения.

Кульминация – самый напряжённый момент развития сюжета.

Повествование – форма словесного выражения содержания, рассказ о событиях.

Рассказ – повествование об одном, но важном событии (случае, происшествии, эпизоде) в жизни человека.

Сюжет (от франц. sujet – предмет, содержание) – событие или цепь событий, изображенных в произведении.

Развитие действия – этап цепь эпизодов, предшествующих развязке.

Типы речи (формы словесного выражения) – способы употребления языка: устный и письменный, диалог и монолог, проза и стихи, повествование, описание и рассуждение.

Юмор (анг. humour ‒ нрав, настроение) ‒ изображение героев и явлений жизни в смешном виде.

Список литературы

Обязательная литература:

1. Ладыженская Т. А., Баранов М. Т., Тростенцова Л. А. и др. Русский язык. 5 класс. В 2-х частях. Ч. 2. – М.: Просвещение, 2018. – с. 101-102; 191.

Дополнительная литература:

1. Тростенцова Л. А. Русский язык. Дидактические материалы. 5 класс:пособие для учителей общеобразоват. Организаций // Тростенцова Л. А., Ладыженская Т. А., Стракевич М. М. – 9-е изд. – М.: Просвещение, 2015. – 175 с.

2. Ерохина Е. Л. Комплексный анализ текста. Рабочая тетрадь по русскому языку: 5 класс: ко всем действующим учебникам. 2-е изд., перераб. и доп. – М.: Экзамен, 2013. – 95 с.

3. Уроки развития речи: Методическое пособие для учителей-словесников по программе «Речь». 5 класс //Канакина Г. И., Пранцова Г. В., Петрунина В. М. и др. – Пенза, 1997. – 151 с.

4. Анищенко Г. А. Литературный справочник: учебное пособие // Г. А. Анищенко. – М.: Форум, 2012. – 176 с.

Теоретический материал для самостоятельного изучения

Вы уже знакомы с жанром рассказа. Рассказ – это повествовательное произведение небольшого размера или словесное изложение каких-нибудь событий. Чаще всего в рассказе говорится об одном событии (случае, происшествии) из жизни героя.

В рассказе, как и в любом повествовательном тексте, есть три части: начало события (завязка), развитие события, в котором выделяют точку наивысшего напряжения – кульминацию, после которой наступает развязка, конец события. Рассказ чаще всего строится так, как события следовали друг за другом. Чем интереснее будет происшествие, случай, тем занимательней будет рассказ. Но иногда автор может менять события местами, чтобы привлечь внимание читателей, заинтересовать их сюжетом.

Послушаем небольшой рассказ Виктора Голявкина «Как я всех обмануть хотел». Мне про это рассказывать даже не хочется. Но я всё-таки расскажу. Все думали, я и вправду больной, а флюс у меня был ненастоящий. Это я промокашку под щёку подсунул, вот щека и раздулась. И вдобавок гримасу состроил – вот, мол, как зуб у меня болит! И мычу слегка; это я всё нарочно сделал, чтоб урок не спросили. И Анна Петровна поверила мне. И ребята поверили. Все жалели меня, переживали. А я делал вид, что мне очень больно.

Анна Петровна сказала:

– Иди домой. Раз у тебя так зуб болит.

Но мне домой совсем не хотелось. Языком промокашку во рту катаю и думаю: «Здорово обманул я всех!»

Вдруг Танька Ведёркина как заорёт:

– Ой, смотрите, флюс у него на другой стороне!

Какие признаки рассказа мы можем отметить? Прежде всего, трехчастную структуру. У рассказа есть начало: «Мне про это рассказывать даже не хочется. Но я всё-таки расскажу. Все думали, я и вправду больной, а флюс у меня был ненастоящий». Далее – развитие события: все жалеют героя, Анна Петровна поверила ему и разрешила пойти домой. И завершается история разоблачением главного героя. У рассказа есть заглавие, отображающее главную мысль, то есть то, что хотел сказать автор: герой хотел всех обмануть, но у него ничего не получилось. В этом рассказе автор использует неожиданную развязку события.

Когда мы сочиняем рассказ, мы создаём текст на определённую тему. А тема текста — это то общее, что объединяет предложения в тексте, то, о ком или о чём говорится в нём. Тема текста определяется по вопросу: «О чём говорится в тексте?»

Послушайте рассказ Виктора Голявкина «Больные».

– У тебя правда нога болит?

– Никакая нога у меня не болит! А у тебя в животе правда колет?

– Ничего у меня в животе не колет. Ловко мы с тобой в классе остались!

– Ребята сейчас там на физкультуре прыгают, а мы с тобой сидим – красота!

– Эх, хорошо просто так сидеть!.. Давай через парту прыгать!

О чём говорится в тексте? О том, как мальчики решили прогулять урок физкультуры, притворившись больными. А какова идея рассказа? Для чего он написан? Мальчикам стало скучно просто сидеть в классе, и они решили прыгать через парту. Наверняка, на шум придёт учитель и обман вскроется.

А теперь обратимся к нашим рисункам и попробуем по ним написать рассказ. Умение составлять простой план поможет вам лучше справиться с работой.

Познакомьтесь с приблизительной схемой написания рассказа по сюжетным картинкам:

А) придумать заголовок

Б) придумать завязку

В) рассказать, как развивались события

Г) показать, чем закончилась история

Составьте простой план, которым вы будете пользоваться. Простой план — это последовательный перечень основных событий, изображённых на картинках. При составлении рассказа внимательно рассмотрите то, что изображено на рисунках. С чего началась история? Как развивались события? На какой картинке изображён самый напряжённый момент? Чем закончилась история?

Итак, представим, что история, изображённая на рисунках, произошла с вами или с кем-то из ваших знакомых. И вот вы рассказываете, как всё случилось.

Я думаю, что яблоки, когда падают на землю, выбирают, куда упасть. Мой брат любит сидеть под яблоней и «совершать» открытия. Вот опять сидит с книгой и думает, наверное, о том, как повезло Ньютону: ему просто упало яблоко на голову! И всё! Он стал знаменитым! Прислонившись к дереву, прикрывшись книгой, брат мирно спал. А если бы ему тоже упало на голову яблоко? Какое открытие он бы сделал? Думаю, ему нужно подсказать, что пришло время собирать яблоки в корзину. Пусть это яблоко, которое «внезапно» сорвалось с ветки и упало ему прямо на голову, заставить его наконец-то помочь мне. А то один я не справляюсь с уборкой.

Итак, чтобы написать интересный рассказ по картинкам, необходимо придумать начало (завязку), затем рассказать о том, что делают герои и в какой последовательности, далее показать, чем закончилась эта история (концовка).

Примеры заданий из Тренировочного модуля

Единичный выбор

Выберите правильный ответ. Рассказ ‒

а) повествование

б) сюжет

Разбор задания: Рассказ ‒ повествование об одном, но важном событии. Сюжет ‒ событие или цепь событий, изображенных в произведении.

Правильный ответ: повествование

Выбор элемента из выпадающего списка

Прочитайте рассказ Виктора Голявкина «Я пуговицу себе сам пришил». Выберите правильный ответ. В каком предложении выражена основная мысль текста?

«Я пуговицу себе сам пришил. Правда, я её криво пришил, но ведь я её сам пришил! А меня мама просит убрать со стола, как будто бы я не помог своей маме, – ведь пуговицу я сам пришил! А вчера вдруг дежурным назначили в классе. Очень мне нужно дежурным быть! Я ведь пуговицу себе сам пришил, а они кричат: «На других не надейся!» Я ни на кого не надеюсь. Я всё сам делаю – пуговицу себе сам пришил…»

а) Очень мне нужно дежурным быть!

б) Я всё сам делаю – пуговицу себе сам пришил.

в) Я ни на кого не надеюсь.

Разбор задания: «Я всё сам делаю – пуговицу себе сам пришил». В этом предложении говорится о том, что герой никого не просит помочь ему, делает всё сам и отмечается, что он сам пришил пуговицу.

Правильный ответ: Я всё сам делаю – пуговицу себе сам пришил.