Short Story Unit

Plot the sequence of related events in a story Plot structure Exposition the start of the story; sets up the basic situation or conflict Rising Action the series of complications and crises leading up to the climax Climax the story’s turning point; usually the most dangerous or significant moment for the main character Falling Action the part of the story where the consequences of the climax are revealed Resolution the final outcome of the conflict; the conclusion

Rising Action Exposition Falling Action Resolution Climax

Chronological order when events occur as they would in real time Flashback a scene in which the author presents an event that happened at an earlier time In Media Res Latin for “into the middle of things”; when a story begins after significant action has already taken place

Conflict a dramatic struggle between two forces Types of Conflict: Internal when a struggle takes place within a character’s mind Example: Seth vs. his own conscience External when a struggle takes place between a character and an outside force Example: Seth vs. Donald Example: Seth vs. nature Example: Seth vs. society

Setting where and when a story takes place Elements of Setting: Time - year, season, time of day, etc. Place - country, state, town, building, room, etc. (real or imaginary) Environment – type of society Mood – the emotional effect that a story has on the reader

Choose 2 of these pictures to complete the setting practice in your packet.

Writers often use imagery to increase their readers’ awareness of the setting. Imagery language that appeals to the five senses in order to create a descriptive mental image The room was hot. The room was as hot as city black top scorched by an angry sun and tortured with the friction of screaming traffic. Boring! Imagery!