Writing the Short Story Warriner, John E., Mary E. Whitten and Francis Griffith. Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition Third Course. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Print.

Essential Elements of Any Good Story Setting Setting Characters Characters Conflict Conflict Action Action Climax Climax Outcome Outcome

Setting Every story happens somewhere at sometime. Every story happens somewhere at sometime. The place and time of a story form the setting of the story. The place and time of a story form the setting of the story. The details of place and time can actually make a story “timeless.” The details of place and time can actually make a story “timeless.”

Characters Every story has at least one leading character. Every story has at least one leading character. This hero or heroine of the story is called the protagonist. This hero or heroine of the story is called the protagonist.

Often there will be another character, called the antagonist, who opposes the plans or wishes of the hero or heroine. Often there will be another character, called the antagonist, who opposes the plans or wishes of the hero or heroine. Let’s build a story with a high school girl as the protagonist. Let’s build a story with a high school girl as the protagonist.

Conflict A good story has a plot in which the leading charcter has a problem, or conflict. A good story has a plot in which the leading charcter has a problem, or conflict. The conflict of our story might be that the girl is doing poorly in school and wants to drop out. The conflict of our story might be that the girl is doing poorly in school and wants to drop out.

Action The conflict sets events in motion. The conflict sets events in motion. This is where “the plot thickens.” This is where “the plot thickens.” For example, the girl’s parents object to her dropping out of school. For example, the girl’s parents object to her dropping out of school.

The parents would both be considered antagonists. The parents would both be considered antagonists. The girl decides to run away. The girl decides to run away. She withdraws her savings from the bank and takes a bus to New York. She withdraws her savings from the bank and takes a bus to New York.

Climax The action arising out of the conflict continues until it reaches a point of highest intensity. The action arising out of the conflict continues until it reaches a point of highest intensity. This high point is called the climax. This high point is called the climax.

In our story, perhaps the girl gets to New York, wanders around the streets, becomes lost, is stopped by a police officer, and is taken into custody. In our story, perhaps the girl gets to New York, wanders around the streets, becomes lost, is stopped by a police officer, and is taken into custody. The officer notifies the girl’s parents. The officer notifies the girl’s parents.

The parents drive to New York and enter the station house. The parents drive to New York and enter the station house. The girl sees her parents again, hesitates, then rushes toward them. The girl sees her parents again, hesitates, then rushes toward them. The parents smile and hold out their arms to their daughter. The parents smile and hold out their arms to their daughter.

Outcome After the climax is reached, the conflict is resolved. After the climax is reached, the conflict is resolved. This resolution is the outcome of the story. This resolution is the outcome of the story. It winds up the plot. It winds up the plot.

For example, the girl returns home with her parents. For example, the girl returns home with her parents. On the drive back, they have a long talk. On the drive back, they have a long talk. The girl decides to stay in school. The girl decides to stay in school. The parents agree to be more understanding and to spend more time with their daughter. The parents agree to be more understanding and to spend more time with their daughter.

Getting Started Plan your story before you write it, basing your plan on the essential elements of a good story. Plan your story before you write it, basing your plan on the essential elements of a good story. Think of an incident in your life. Think of an incident in your life. Get creative as you “fictionalize” to make it interesting in some way. Get creative as you “fictionalize” to make it interesting in some way.