Elements of a Short Story

Definition of a Short Story

it’s about a single event or experience fictional (not true)500 to 15,000 words in lengthhas a beginning, middle, and endcreates an impression on the reader

Elements of a Short Story

SettingCharacterizationConflictThemePoint of viewPlot

Setting

Tells the reader where and when the story takes place

Characterization

The writer gives information about the characters in the storyThe reader can learn about characters in one of two ways:

Indirectly•what the character says and does•what others say about the character•what the character wears

Directly•through the author’s description

Conflict

Internal Conflict•human vs. self

External Conflict•human vs. nature•human vs. human•human vs. society•human vs. supernatural

What is the conflict?•The main problem in the story

Theme

The story’s main ideas The “message” the writer intends to communicate by telling the story

Point of View

Point of view: The position of the narrator of the story and what the writer sees from that vantage point.

There are two main points of view:

First Person•I, me, we

Third Person•He, she, they

Plot Diagram

2. Rising Action

1.Introduction

3. Climax

4. Falling Action

5. Resolution

1. Introduction usually occurs at the beginning of a short

story the characters are introduced learn about the setting of the story we are introduced to the main conflict (main

problem)

2. Rising Action

begins to develop the conflict(s) a building of interest or suspense

occurs

3. Climax the turning point of the story Usually the main character comes

face to face with a conflict The main character will change in

some way.

4. Falling Action

All loose ends of the plot are tied up

The conflict(s) and climax are resolved

5. Resolution

The story comes to a reasonable ending