Short Story Terms Elements of Fiction: plot, setting, mood, atmosphere, tone, character, and conflict

What is the plot or series of events in a story?

Exposition or inciting incident the explanation of a past or present event or series of events that set the plot of a story in motion. For example, the death of King Hamlet and the marriage of Claudius and Hamlet’s mother set the play, Hamlet, in motion.

Rising Action The action and/or events that lead to the climax, or the highest point of intensity in a story.

Climax It is the point of greatest intensity, interest, or suspense, and often reveals the turning point in the story. A decision is often made by a character prior to the climax. It doesn’t just involve a change in thought, but a change in action. In the Three Little Pigs, the decision to trick/kill wolf by putting a boiling cauldron of soup beneath the chimney, and inviting the wolf in by coming down the chimney precedes the death of the wolf.

Anti-climax In opposition to the climax, there is a sudden shift from an elevated and serious tone to a more casual tone that is often humorous because it comes on unexpectedly. This is essentially a let down after suspense is built up in a story. For example: "In moments of crisis I size up the situation in a flash, set my teeth, contract my muscles, take a firm grip on myself and, without a tremor, always do the wrong thing" (George Bernard Shaw).

Falling Action Follows the climax (or crisis), and results in a reversal of fortune for the protagonist.

Resolution or Denouement This is the conclusion of the plot of a story. Loose ends are tied up whether they are resolved or left unresolved

Setting and Atmosphere

Setting Setting refers to time and place: when and where a story or the events of a story take place.

Mood This is the atmosphere or overall emotion of a story created by the description of the setting, action, or characters. Mood refers to how the reader/audience feels, and/or the emotions the story evokes.

Atmosphere The pervasive mood of a literary work that is created, usually through the description of the setting, that continues throughout the course of the story.

Tone The author’s attitude toward a subject, character, or event. This often relates to how the writer perceives the subject matter he/she is writing about.

Conflict Internal and External

Conflict is essential to plot Without conflict, there’s no plot… Conflict ties one incident to another and helps the plot move forward Conflict refers to any form of opposition that faces the main character

Two types of conflict Internal: a struggle within one’s self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc. External: A struggle with a force outside one’s self.

Five kinds of conflict Internal 1. Person vs. self (psychological): The leading character struggles with him/herself; with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc. External 2. Person vs. person (physical or social): The leading character struggles with his/her physical strength against another person or the ideas, actions, practices, or customs of another person or group of people.

Five kinds of conflict, continued External 3. Person vs. Circumstance/Machine (classical) - The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him/her. 4. Person vs. Environment – The leading character struggles with the natural environment or the weather. 5. Person vs. Society (institution) – The leading character struggles with the expectations of society, the government, or other groups. This also refers to constructs such as slavery or bullying that are created within a society.

Character

Character The term refers to both a fictional person in a story, and the moral, dispositional, and behavioral qualities of that fictional person.

Character types: Flat vs. Round A flat character is a limited, usually minor character with only one or two apparent qualities. This is a character who is not developed. A round character is a realistic character with several dimensions. This is a more complex, fully-developed person.

Character Types: Static vs. Dynamic A static character is one who does not change in the course of a story, often the person does not change his/her beliefs or mind set despite what has occurred in the story. A dynamic (or developing) character is one who undergoes a significant, lasting change, usually in his or her outlook on life. In a short story, he or she is often the protagonist.

Character Types: Stock or Stereotyped A stock (or Stereotyped) character is a predictable, one-dimensional character who is recognizable to the reader as a type of character/person. For example, these are stock characters: the jock, the brain, the absent- minded professor, and so on.

Character Foil A character foil is a character whose behaviour, attitudes, and/or opinions contrast with those of the protagonist. This is usually displayed by two characters, whose traits are the complete opposite of each other, which highlights the differences between the two. Ex: good vs. evil