Short Story Elements

Short Stories Develop Plot Characters Setting Narrator/Point of View

Plot Plot is the series of related events in a story, each connected to the text. Plot tells us the beginning, middle, and end of the story. The sequence of events can be altered, such as in foreshadowing or flashback, to add interest

Plot elements Exposition – the opening of a story, when characters and their conflicts are introduced. In “Most Dangerous Game,” the reader knows that something bad will happen on the island when Whitney and Rainsford discuss the name and the area. We also find out that Rainsford is a hunter who thinks that the animals they hunt have no feelings. We also know that they are on a boat in the dark.

Plot elements Conflict – inner and outer conflict External conflict is between people or a person and a force of nature (man vs. man or man vs. nature) Internal conflict is inside a character’s head or heart (man vs. self)

Characters Direct characterization- the author tells you EXACTLY what s/he wants you to know (Sally is smart.) Indirect characterization- the author tells you about a character by telling you about actions/ events (Sally’s mom rewarded her for making all A’s.)

Character Types Protagonist – main character who has a conflict Antagonist – person who opposes main character Round characters – described with many details and fully described Flat characters – not many details are offered about him or her Dynamic characters – people who change in the course of the story Static characters – people who never change in the story

Setting Authors use sensory details to develop setting. Sights – busy street, elegant clothes Sounds – beeps, screams, barks Smells – turkey in the oven, locker room stench, fire Touch – soft couch, cold hallway Taste –popcorn and soda at the movies

Five more elements of setting Geographical Regional Physical vs. mental Specific vs. universal Time period

Narrator Third Person Omniscient – one who is not a character and uses third person pronouns (he, she, names, etc.) – all knowing Third Person Limited – one who is not a character, but only gives the perspective of one character – stalker First Person – the narrator is a character, but the perspective is unreliable because the character only gives readers his or her own ideas – about self