1. Elements of a Short Story

2. Setting
The background to the story: where and when it takes place

3. Atmosphere The mood or tone of the story
The author creates specific events and uses specific language and scenes in the story to create an impression

4. Character
An individual in a narrative (usually a work of fiction or creative nonfiction). 
Flat
Static
Round
Dynamic

5. Plot
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story.

6. Plot Components
Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action
Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax
Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story.
Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes.
Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable.
Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point.
Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts
Resolution/Denoument: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

7. Plot: Conflict
Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

8. Plot: Types of Conflict
Character vs Character
Character vs Nature
Character vs Society
Character vs Self

9. Plot: Character vs. Character Conflict
This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not human.
“The new one is the most beautiful of all; he is so young and pretty.” And the old swans bowed their heads before him.
Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the birds.
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson

10. Plot: Character vs. Nature Conflict
This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist.
It´s a Truffula Seed.
It´s the last one of all!
You´re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax
and all of his friends
may come back.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

11. Plot: Character vs. Society Conflict
This type of conflict has the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture, etc
Fern Arable: What's Papa going to do with that axe?
Mrs. Arable:Some pigs were born last night.
Fern: Why does he need an axe for?
Mrs. Arable: One of the pigs was a runt, So your father has decided to do away with it!
Fern: Do away with it, you mean kill it? Just because it's smaller than the others!
Mrs. Arable: Don't yell Fern, the pig would probably die anyway!
Charlotte’s Web by E.B White

12. Plot: Character vs. Self Conflict
In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict.
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so? It came without ribbons! It came without tags! "It came without packages, boxes or bags!" And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. "Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Dr. Seuss