Elements of a Short Story Miss Kreklewich

Elements of a Short Story Short stories contain many elements which you will be studying including: Plot/Plot Line Atmosphere Characters and Point of View Theme Setting

Plot/Plot Line The plot of a story is the sequence of events that occur in the story These events follow a plan called a plot line. Every short story that you read will follow a plot line to some extent. The parts of the plot line are as follows: Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Conclusion

Exposition The exposition is the introduction to the characters and setting of the story The exposition hooks the reader, providing enough interest and information to the intended audience to encourage the reader to continue reading.

Setting The setting of a story answers the questions when and where. The setting of the story should complement the plot of the story. For example: If your story has themes that are more appropriate to the 21st century, then that is the time frame that the story should place within.

Rising Action The rising action introduces the conflict problem in the story. This part of the plot tells us what it is that the main character or protagonist is facing. During the rising action, the main character struggles with this conflict or problem.

Types of Conflict There are four types of conflict: Character vs. Character: the problem the protagonist faces is one involving another character.

Types of Conflict Character vs. Society: the protagonist faces a problem involving something in the society in which they live (For example: Racism).

Types of Conflict Character vs. Self: the character has some internal struggle inside themselves.

Types of Conflict Character vs. Nature: the protagonist struggles with some natural force (tornado, harsh climate, etc.)

Climax The climax is the high point of the story where the conflict or problem changes or is resolved. Something happens in the climax to create a turning point for the characters in the story.

Falling Action In the falling action the conflict is resolved.

Conclusion The story is brought to an end with any loose ends being tied up.

Characters The characters in the story are the people who experience the events of the plot. Every story you read will have characters.

Characters The main character is the protagonist. The protagonist is the character who experiences the main conflict or problem in the plot. The protagonist is not necessarily the “GOOD GUY”

Characters: Dynamic vs. Static The protagonist may be dynamic or static. A dynamic character is one who changes during the course of the story. * Most protagonists are dynamic. A static character doesn’t change during the story. * Characters in the story who are static often help to develop the main character to provide them with the opportunity to change.

Characters The antagonist is the character in the story who plays a major role in the plot and helps create and develop the main character. The antagonist may be an opposing force to the protagonist.

Characters – The Three A’s Characters can be examined and studied using the three A’s criteria: Appearance, Actions, and Attitude. Appearance – the characters body structure (height, weight), facial features (hair, eyes, complexion, notable features), and clothing. Actions – what the character does. For every attitude there will be an action that proves it. Attitude - how a character thinks. The character may be intelligent, determined, curious, talented, brave, stubborn, humorous, etc.

Point of View The narrator of a short story may be a character in the story. This is called the first person narration. The narrator and the character uses “I” to refer to themself in the story. This narrator has limited knowledge of what the other characters are thinking and doing.

Point of View Third Person is when the narrator is telling the story as though they were watching it and telling the story as they see it unfold. If the narrator knows what all the characters are thinking and doing, the narrator is described as omniscient. If the narrator is third person and telling the story from one character’s perspective, the narrator is described as limited.