Short Story Elements

PLOT: Sequence of events in a literary work Two basic elements Character Conflict: Problem between the protagonist and antagonist Character vs. character Character vs. nature Character vs. society Character vs. self

Plot Diagram Climax Falling Action Rising Action Exposition Resolution Denouement

Exposition Establishes setting Identifies characters Introduces basic situation Exposition

Rising Action Contains inciting incident (beginning of conflict) Introduces central conflict Character vs. character Character vs. nature Character vs. society Character vs. self Develops conflict and shows effect conflict has on characters Rising Action Exposition

Climax High point in the action of the plot High point of interest (passive) High point of suspense (active) Climax Rising Action Exposition

Falling Action The story begins to calm down and the character starts to show changes in their characteristics. If there is a theme, the theme is beginning to unfold to the reader and to the character. Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition

Resolution Resolution: ties up the loose ends Denouement: final solution to a play or plot Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution Denouement

Characters Person or animal who takes part in the action of a literary work. Three types of characters: 1. main character or protagonist 2. antagonist 3. minor character

Types of Characters Main character or protagonist Focus of reader’s attention May change in important ways during the story

Types of Characters Antagonist Character or force in conflict with the main character Struggle between the two is the central conflict Struggle is the foundation for the plot

Types of Characters Minor character Not the main focus of attention May help the reader learn about the main character

Fictional Character Descriptions Round character is well developed Writer reveals background Also reveals personality traits: good AND bad Flat character is not well-developed Writer reveals very little personal history Also reveals only one or two traits

Fictional Character Descriptions Dynamic character changes during the course of a story Static character does not change during the course of a story

Setting Time and place of action in a literary work

Setting: Time and place of action Time of action Time Historical period Past Present Future Others Year Season Time of day Weather Place of action Specific place Country State Region Community General place Neighborhood Building Institution Home

Setting: Time and place of action Other details Dialects: Way they talk Clothing: What they wear Customs: Traditions, religion, families, etc. Modes of transportation: Cars, buggies, horses, etc. *All are supported by the Setting

Short Story Theme Theme is the message the author is trying to convey A common theme is the battle between good and evil *Theme is an insight into life

Theme A Theme is communicated in many ways Stating the theme Suggest the theme or imply theme

Finding Implied Theme Consider clues such as story’s title How a character solves a problem Passage in story may convey powerful emotions

No Implied or Stated Theme Sometimes no implied or stated theme in story Instead, explores an important question without answering it

Point of View Point of view: vantage point from which a story is told First person: narrator refers to himself/herself as “I” Third person: narrator, outside the action, refers to characters as “he” or “she” Omniscient third person: narrator knows all characters’ thoughts, outside of the story

Story Elements Keep your notes; you will need them throughout the year!