1. Short Story Elements
Notes

2. SETTING
The time and location in which a story takes place is called the setting. 
Place - geographical location.  Where is the action of the story taking place?
Time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)
Mood - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story?  Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

3. Plot
The sequence of events in a story or play 

4. Types of Linear Plots Plots can be told in Chronological order
Flashback
In addition, you can note that some stories follow a circular or episodic plot, and hypertextual stories can be different every time they’re read, as the reader chooses the direction that the story takes. If a story that students are working on does not fit into the triangle structure, think about why the author would choose a different story structure and how the structure has changed.
In media res (in the middle of things) when the story starts in the middle of the action without exposition

5. 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: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

6. Plot Chart
Exposition - The beginning of the story where the characters and the setting are revealed.
 Rising Action - This is where the events in the story become complicated and the conflict in the story is revealed (events between the introduction and climax).
  Climax - This is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the story.  The reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not?
  Falling Action - The events and complications begin to resolve themselves.  The reader knows what has happened next and if the conflict was resolved or not (events between climax and denouement).
Resolution- This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story. (also called the Denouement_).

7. Conflict Struggle in a story
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.

8. There are six kinds of conflict:
1)  Man vs. ___MAN_______ - The leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men
2)  Man vs. ___NATURE____ - The leading character struggles against fate or nature.
3)  Man vs. ___SOCIETY___ - The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people.
4)  Man vs. ___SELF____ -  The leading character struggles with himself/herself; with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.

9. Man vs. ____Technology______- the leading character struggles with technology, electronic devices.
Man vs. ____Supernatural_____-the leading character struggles with paranormal entities, ghosts.

10. Let’s pretend someone brought Mrs. Newberry a cupcake…

11. Man vs. Man
“I want that cupcake!”
“NO! That is my cupcake!”

12. “OH NO! The Tornado just ran away with my cupcake!
Man vs. Nature
“OH NO! The Tornado just ran away with my cupcake!

13. Man vs. Society
No cupcakes after 3pm!
“What?! There is a law in Tazewell County that says I can’t eat cupcakes after 3pm?!

14. AHHHH! Casper, the friendly ghost, stole my cupcake!!
Man vs. Supernatural
AHHHH! Casper, the friendly ghost, stole my cupcake!!

15. “The Terminator ate my cupcake!”
Man vs. Technology
Hasta La Vista, Cupcake!!
“The Terminator ate my cupcake!”

16. “I’m on a diet, and I really shouldn’t eat the cupcake but…”
Man vs. Self
“I’m on a diet, and I really shouldn’t eat the cupcake but…”

17. Character The person in a work of fiction.
___Protagonist___ - One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character. 
____Antagonist______ - The opposer of the main character

18. Characterization
The way an author presents a character and reveals character traits
Direct characterization – The author DIRECTLY states information about our character
Ex: Sally is tall.
Indirect characterization – the author uses clues such as what a character says, thinks, does, and how others respond to the character
Ex: Sally is the only person in the class that can reach the top shelf.

19. Theme The controlling idea or its central insight.
LESSON LEARNED; BIG PICTURE
Some simple examples of common themes from literature, TV, and film are: - 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

20. Other Literary terms Metaphor Simile Personification Allusion Irony
Suspense
Foreshadowing