Elements of the Short Story

Let's start with a quick Short Story Rap... http://www.flocabulary.com/fivethings/ Because who can pass up a good rap! Bonus points for an impromptu performance of this rap in class :)

Setting The time and location in which a story takes place

Plot The sequence of events in a short story Introduction - The beginning of the story where the characters and setting are revealed. Rising Action - The events in the story become complicated and the conflict in the story is revealed Climax - This is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the story. The reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not? Falling action - The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. The reader knows what has happened next and if the conflict was resolved or not Resolution - This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story.

Conflict Struggle in the plot Internal (struggle with oneself) or External (struggle with a force outside of self) Types: man vs. man (physical) man vs. nature (classical) man vs. society (social) man vs. self (psychological)

Character The people in the story who carry out the action physical appearance thoughts/feelings action effect on others

Theme controlling idea or central insight