Elements of Short Stories What makes up a short story? How should these elements come together? Are there guidelines to follow?

Protagonist The central character of the story. The central character of the story.

Plot The series of events that happen in a literary work The series of events that happen in a literary work

5 Elements of Plot Setting: environment of the story Setting: environment of the story Details: exposition/rising action Details: exposition/rising action Conflict: central struggle (story problem) Conflict: central struggle (story problem) Climax: highest point of tension Climax: highest point of tension Resolution: falling action Resolution: falling action

Setting The environment that the story takes place in. The environment that the story takes place in. When: past? present? future? specific? vague? When: past? present? future? specific? vague? Where: home? Ship? different places? Where: home? Ship? different places? Mood: established by author Mood: established by author

Details Exposition / Rising Action – the part of the story in which the tension increases Exposition / Rising Action – the part of the story in which the tension increases

Conflict The central source of tension and drama in the story. It is sometimes called the story problem. The central source of tension and drama in the story. It is sometimes called the story problem. 2 Types: 2 Types: Internal: within a character’s mind Internal: within a character’s mind External: forces battling outside a character External: forces battling outside a character 4 Categories of conflict: 4 Categories of conflict: Character vs. Character (E) Character vs. Character (E) Character vs. Self (I) Character vs. Self (I) Character vs. Nature (E) Character vs. Nature (E) Character vs. Society (I) Character vs. Society (I)

Climax The moment when the action comes to its highest point of dramatic conflict. The moment when the action comes to its highest point of dramatic conflict.

Falling Action The part of the story, following the climax and leading to the resolution in which there is a sharp decline in dramatic tension. The part of the story, following the climax and leading to the resolution in which there is a sharp decline in dramatic tension.

Resolution Another name given to the conclusion of the story. This part includes the story’s action after the climax until the end of the story. Another name given to the conclusion of the story. This part includes the story’s action after the climax until the end of the story.

Theme The story’s main ideas—the “message” that the author intends to communicate by telling the story. Themes are often universal truths that are suggested by the specifics in the story. The story’s main ideas—the “message” that the author intends to communicate by telling the story. Themes are often universal truths that are suggested by the specifics in the story.

Tools used in Short Stories…

Mood The overall feeling – light and happy or dark and brooding, for example. The overall feeling – light and happy or dark and brooding, for example. Created by an author’s choice of words. Created by an author’s choice of words.

Foreshadowing A writing technique that gives readers clues about events that will happen later in the story. A writing technique that gives readers clues about events that will happen later in the story.

Imagery The use of selected details to describe one thing in terms of another. This helps suggest additional meanings and feelings. The use of selected details to describe one thing in terms of another. This helps suggest additional meanings and feelings. Examples: Examples: The eerie silence was shattered by her scream. The eerie silence was shattered by her scream. Her face lit up when she saw him. Her face lit up when she saw him.

Symbol An image, object, character, or action that stands for an idea (or ideas) beyond its literal meaning. An image, object, character, or action that stands for an idea (or ideas) beyond its literal meaning.

Irony A particular tone created when the speaker intends a meaning that is opposite to the words he or she says. A particular tone created when the speaker intends a meaning that is opposite to the words he or she says.

Characterization The methods an author uses to communicate information about characters to readers. The methods an author uses to communicate information about characters to readers.

Characterization 4 Ways we learn about characterization 4 Ways we learn about characterization What the author directly tells us. What the author directly tells us. What the character says. (speech) What the character says. (speech) What the character thinks. (thoughts) What the character thinks. (thoughts) What the character does (actions). What the character does (actions).

2 Types of Characterization Direct Characterization: When an author tells the reader directly about a character. Indirect Characterization: When the author shows the character in action and lets the reader draw their own conclusions.