6th grade Language Arts

Elements of a Short Story Plot Theme Setting Character Point of View Conflict

Plot: How Stories Happen What is plot? The sequence of related events throughout a story The structure of a story. The sequence in which the author arranges events in a story. The structure of a five-act play often includes the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. The plot may have a protagonist who is opposed by antagonist, creating what is called, conflict.

Parts of Plot Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution

What is Exposition? Beginning of story Introduces characters, setting, and tone In drama, the presentation of essential information regarding what has occurred prior to the beginning of the play. The exposition is the introductory material which presents the characters, setting, and tone of the play.

What is Rising Action? Plot becomes increasingly complicated Various problems arise

What is Climax? -Turning Point in a story -Does not have to be in the middle The decisive moment in a drama, the climax is the turning point of the play to which the rising action leads. The action reaches a high point and results in a climax, the turning point in the play.

What is Falling Action? Action following the climax Leads to the end The falling action is the series of events which take place after the climax.

What is Resolution? Problems are solved Action comes to an end The part of a story or drama which occurs after the climax and which establishes a new norm, a new state of affairs-the way things are going to be from then on.

Other Elements Related to the Plot Foreshadowing: the use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story. Flashback:  a scene that interrupts the action to show an event that happened earlier Epiphany:  a moment of understanding, insight, or revelation experienced by a character concerning what is happening to him or her Symbol: A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. Things, characters, and actions can be symbols; Anything that suggests a meaning beyond the obvious.

What is the high point of action in a story? A. Exposition B. Resolution C. Climax D. Falling action

What is Theme? Message about life What the author wants you to learn from the story Unlike plot which deals with the action of a work, theme concerns itself with a work's message or contains the general idea of a work. An ingredient of a literary work which gives the work unity. The theme provides an answer to the question What is the work about?

What is Setting? Physical = Place Chronological = Time The time and place in which a story unfolds. The setting in Act 1, scene 1 of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," for example, is a public square in Verona, Italy. A drama may contain a single setting, Or the setting may change from scene to scene.

The setting answers the question, “What is the work about?” True False

A person or animal in a story What is a Character? A person or animal in a story A person or force which opposes the protagonist in a literary work. The hero or central character of a literary work. In accomplishing his or her objective, the protagonist is hindered by some opposing force either human

Static vs. Dynamic Static Character – does not change throughout the story Dynamic Character – undergoes change or transformation throughout the story

Character What is a protagonist? Main character Hero of the story A person or force which opposes the protagonist in a literary work. The hero or central character of a literary work. In accomplishing his or her objective, the protagonist is hindered by some opposing force either human

Character What is an antagonist? Opposes protagonist Bad guy A person or force which opposes the protagonist in a literary work. The hero or central character of a literary work. In accomplishing his or her objective, the protagonist is hindered by some opposing force either human

Who is the hero or central character of a story? A. Protagonist B. Climax C. Exposition D. Antagonist

Perspective from which What is Point of View? Perspective from which the story is told A piece of literature contains a speaker who is speaking either in the first person, telling things from his or her own perspective, or in the third person, telling things from the perspective of an onlooker. The perspective used is called the Point of View, and is referred to either as first person or third person. If the speaker knows everything including the actions, motives, and thoughts of all the characters, the speaker is referred to as omniscient (all-knowing). If the speaker is unable to know what is in any character's mind but his or her own, this is called limited omniscience First person, third person, limited third person, central intelligence omniscient....The story is told from the point of view of who? Does the narrator speak in first person, using "I" or third person, using "he, she, they." Look in your text for a fuller understanding of point of view if you do not understand fully.

Point of View First-person – from the author or narrators point of view “I went to the store with John.” Second person – Often used in commands “You should follow directions more carefully. Third-person –told from an outside perspective “John and Josh went to the store.”

What is Conflict? -A struggle between opposing forces in a story -Internal = within a character -External = between a char. And someone else In the plot of a drama, conflict occurs when the protagonist is opposed by some person or force in the play. A conflict often develops between the protagonist and an antagonist. Conflict: A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in a story. Here are the four basic conflicts: •person against person—a problem between characters •person against self—a problem within a character’s own mind •person against society—a problem between a character and society, school, the law, or some tradition •person against nature—a problem between a character and some element of nature—a blizzard, a hurricane, a mountain climb, etc.

What is Conflict? Person against person Person against self Person against society Person against nature In the plot of a drama, conflict occurs when the protagonist is opposed by some person or force in the play. A conflict often develops between the protagonist and an antagonist. Conflict: A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in a story. Here are the four basic conflicts: •person against person—a problem between characters •person against self—a problem within a character’s own mind •person against society—a problem between a character and society, school, the law, or some tradition •person against nature—a problem between a character and some element of nature—a blizzard, a hurricane, a mountain climb, etc.

Which is a Point of View? A. Third person B. Exposition C. Person against self D. Setting

You know the Elements of a Short Story!!! Congratulations! You know the Elements of a Short Story!!! ` Plot Theme Setting Character Point of View Conflict