Elements of a Short Story

SETTING Where and when the story takes place. Does it occur in the past, present, future? What specific place are the events happening in? CHARACTERS Simplistically put, there is often a hero who you hope will succeed and a villain that stands in their way. Try not to have too many characters in a short story! SEQUENCE Every story is made up of a sequence – a series of events. The way events are ordered to create your story is called the plot. No matter what way you sequence your story (in chronological order, using flashbacks etc.) it should have a clear beginning, middle and end.

BACKGROUND All of the characters in your story should have a history, some details about their past are important to understanding their personality and their present lives. This is called the exposition of a story. It is the background information on the characters and the setting explained at the beginning of the story. The exposition will often have information about events that happened before the story began. Use what you’ve planned on the setting, characters and sequence of the story to write your exposition , which is the first part of the plot.

Sample Exposition: Cinderella When Cinderella was very young, she had a happy life. Then, one day, her mother died. Soon after, Cinderella’s father married a woman who had two daughters of her own. Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters were not kind. The stepmother gave her daughters, Lottie and Dottie, fancy dresses and wonderful toys. She gave Cinderella nothing. Cinderella’s life became a very unhappy one.

Sample Conflict: Cinderella A key element of the plot is the conflict, or the problem faced by the characters. Conflict when characters are against each other or face a particular obstacle. A common conflict is that one character (the hero) wants something or wishes to help someone else and another character (the villain) is trying to stop the hero. The conflict is the most important part of the story. It is what makes the story exciting. Usually a story doesn’t end until this conflict is resolved. Sample Conflict: Cinderella Cinderella wants to attend a ball at the Prince’s castle, but her cruel stepmother and stepsisters try to prevent her going to meeting the Prince.

Sample Climax: Cinderella The climax of the story is when all of the strands of the story come together and is the turning point when the plot changes for better or for worse. Sample Climax: Cinderella The climax of Cinderella is occurs when the Prince puts the glass slipper on Cinderella’s foot and it fits.

Sample Resolution: Cinderella The resolution is the end of the story. It occurs after the climax. It is when you learn what happened to the characters after the conflict is resolved. Sample Resolution: Cinderella Soon after, Cinderella and the Prince married. Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters moved into the castle with them and they all lived happily ever after.

Over to You Retell a classic fairy tale, using all the elements of short story writing you have just learned. Make any adjustments you wish to put your stamp on the story. For example, you may wish to change the setting or adjust the resolution of the story. As long as the fairy tale is still somewhat recognisable adjustments are acceptable. First do a brainstorm planning the setting, characters, sequencing and basic plot (exposition, conflict, climax and resolution). Once this is done get writing, making sure you have clear and distinct paragraphs and structure.

Fairy Tales Cinderella Snow White Sleeping Beauty Beauty and the Beast Little Red Riding Hood The Princess and the Pea Hansel and Gretel The Little Mermaid Rapunzel etc. etc.