1. Mrs. Aja’ Pharr Davis English I
The Short Story Unit
Mrs. Aja’ Pharr Davis
English I

2. Short Story Elements 1. Setting
Setting is the time and the place of the story’s action.
Setting includes ideas, customs, values and beliefs

3. Short Story Elements 2. Characters
Characters are the actors in the story’s plot.
They can be people, animals or whatever the author chooses.

4. Short Story Elements Characters, continued Protagonist-main character
Antagonist-is in conflict with the main character. Not all stories have antagonists.

5. Short Story Elements 3. Point of View
Point of view refers to the relationship of the narrator (storyteller) to the story.
First-person point of view-
narrator is a character in the story, referred to as “I”

6. Short Story Elements Third-person omniscient point of view-
Third-person limited point of view-
The narrator reveals the thoughts of only one character, referring to the character as “he” or “she”
Third-person omniscient point of view-
Narrator knows everything about story’s events and reveals the thoughts of all the characters

7. Short Story Elements 4. Theme
Theme is the central idea or message of a story, often a perception about life or human nature.

8. Short Story Elements Stated Themes- Implied Themes-
Are directly presented in the story
Implied Themes-
Must be inferred by considering all the elements of a story and asking what message about life it conveys

9. Short Story Elements 5. Plot
Plot is the sequence of events in a story. Each event causes or leads to the next. Plot is often created through conflict, a struggle between opposing forces.

10. Short Story Elements External Conflict- Internal Conflict-
Between a character and an outside force, such as another character, nature, society or life
Internal Conflict-
Takes place within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings or between different courses of action.

11. Short Story Elements Most plots develop in 5 stages:
Exposition-introduction
Rising Action- complications of the conflict occur
Climax-emotional high-point of the story

12. Short Story Elements
Falling Action- logical result of the climax
Resolution- presents the final outcome of the story

13. Short Story Plot Climax Falling Action Rising Action Resolution
Exposition