Short Story Elements

SIX major elements Setting Setting Conflict Conflict Point of View Point of View Plot Plot Character Character Theme Theme

Setting The time and location in which a story takes place The time and location in which a story takes place For some stories For some stories –the setting is very important –for others it is not Several aspects to consider how setting contributes to a story Several aspects to consider how setting contributes to a story – (some, or all, may be present in a story): Place Place Time Time Weather conditions Weather conditions Social conditions Social conditions Mood or atmosphere Mood or atmosphere

Plot How How the author arranges events to develop his basic idea –The –The sequence of events in a story or play –A –A planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end –Short –Short stories usually have one plot so it can be read in one sitting –There –There are five essential parts of plot

Conflict Essential to the plot Essential to the plot Without conflict there is no plot Without conflict there is no plot It is the opposition of forces It is the opposition of forces –ties one incident to another –makes the plot move Is not merely limited to open arguments Is not merely limited to open arguments –It is any form of opposition that faces the main character –Within a short story  there may be only one central struggle  there may be one dominant struggle with many minor ones.

Types of Conflict There are two types of conflict: 1) External - A struggle with a force outside one's self. There are two types of conflict: 1) External - A struggle with a force outside one's self. 2) Internal - A struggle within one's self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc. 2) Internal - A struggle within one's self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.

Kinds of Conflict There are four kinds of conflict: There are four kinds of conflict: Man vs. Man (physical) Man vs. Man (physical) –leading character struggles with  his physical strength against other men  forces of nature  animals. 2) Man vs. Circumstances (classical) 2) Man vs. Circumstances (classical) –leading character struggles  against fate  circumstances of life facing him/her.

3) Man vs. Society (social) 3) Man vs. Society (social) –leading character struggles against  ideas,  practices, or  customs of other people. 4) Man vs. Himself/Herself (psychological) – 4) Man vs. Himself/Herself (psychological) – –leading character struggles with himself/herself  with his/her own soul  ideas of right or wrong  physical limitations  choices, etc.

Character The Characteristics of a Person – The Characteristics of a Person – –In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real –Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters –The author may reveal a character in several ways:  his/her physical appearance  what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams  what he/she does or does not do  what others say about him/her  how others react to him/her Characters are convincing if they are: Characters are convincing if they are: –consistent, motivated, and life-like (resemble real people)

Theme is the controlling idea or central insight is the controlling idea or central insight is the author's underlying meaning or main idea that he is trying to convey is the author's underlying meaning or main idea that he is trying to convey may be the author's thoughts about a topic or view of human nature may be the author's thoughts about a topic or view of human nature

Examples of Theme Some simple examples of common themes from literature, TV, and film Some simple examples of common themes from literature, TV, and film –things are not always as they appear to be –Love is blind –Believe in yourself –People are afraid of change –Don't judge a book by its cover