Identify elements of a short story

Define elements of a short story

Demonstrate mastery of short story elements

Short stories often contain structural and character elements that should be familiar to you.

These elements can be used as guides to help you think about the actions, themes, and contexts of the story.

Fictional stories have made-up characters and elements but may be based on real events.

ThemeSettingCharactersConflictCharacterizatio

n

Plot - exposition statement - rising action - conflict - climax - falling action - resolution

A lesson the author is trying to get across about life or human nature.

The theme is not what the character learns, but what the reader learns.

oWhat do the three little pigs learn in the story?

oWhat can the reader learn from that?

The time and place in which a work of literature happens.

2010SummerThis morningAt schoolAfter lunchAn hour ago

At Michelle’s houseLast yearOctober On a rainy dayIn churchIn her room

The people (or animals) in the story.

Characters can be major (the most important roles) or minor (less important).

The description of the personalities of the characters in the story and the way in which an author reveals their personalities.

People who are excellent softball players are probably _________ because they practice a lot.

My friend is _____________ because she always copies someone else’s homework instead of doing her own.

Conflict is a problem or struggle between two opposing forces

Conflict DOES NOT have to be a fight or argument.

A conflict can be fear, jealousy, dislike, and any variety of emotions or clashes.

Conflict can be:• INTERNAL-happening within the character• EXTERNAL-between a character and an outside force

INTERNAL or EXTERNAL?

Christina and Destiny were arguing in gym class.

India is embarrassed to sing in front of lots of people.

Alana wants to go to the football game but her dad won’t let her.

The sequence or order of events in a story.

The plot includes:

- Exposition Statement - The part of the plot that tells how the story begins.

- Rising Action - The action in the story leading up to the climax.

- Conflict - Struggles or problems between opposing forces.

- Climax - The point of crisis in the plot. It may be the reader’s point of highest interest.

- Falling action - The action in the story after the climax is revealed.

- Resolution - The part of the plot that reveals the final outcome.

Risin

g Ac

tion Falling Action

Resolution

Climax

Exposition

Conflict

Now it’s your turn to see what you learned about elements of fictional stories!

Which story element is highlighted?

Rachael went to practice when she got home from school.

setting

Which story element is highlighted?

Rachael went to practice when she got home from school.

character

Which story element is highlighted?

Rachael’s team was determined to beat their opponent.

conflictExternalRachael’s Team vs. Opponent

Which story element is highlighted?

Rachael was devastated after her team lost.

ConflictInternalRachael vs. Herself

Which plot element is described?

The beginning of the story where characters and setting are introduced.

exposition

Which plot element is described?

The turning point in the story where you find out if the main character will succeed or fail

climax

Which plot element is described?

The end of the story where the problems are solved.

resolution

Which plot element is described?

The main character’s problem or struggle.

Conflictinternal and external