1. Elements of Short Fiction
English 1201
Elements of Short Fiction

2. Characteristics of a Short Story
It is a literary form used by an author to entertain.
It is written in prose and is fiction but may be based on fact.
It is narrative (that is it tells a story).
It can usually be read in one “sitting”.
It presents a situation or experience in which the reader shares.
It is centred on conflict ( a struggle, disagreement or problem).

3. Common Elements Every short story has common elements; these are:
1. Character
2. Plot
3. Setting
4. Point of View
5. Theme

4. Character and Characterization
Characters are the fictitious “people” in a
piece of literature.
Authors provoke reactions from readers by developing their characters in various ways.

5. Types of characters
Primary characters: the most important characters in a work of fiction
• protagonist: the main character
• antagonist: the character who opposes or is in conflict with the protagonist.
Secondary characters: characters of less
importance than the protagonist and antagonist

6. Qualities of characters
Round characters: well‐developed characters
Flat characters: one‐dimensional characters
Stereotypes: characters who fulfill “stock” roles
Developing Characters: are characters who change their outlook during the story.( What was the change, when, what caused it?)
Dynamic characters: characters who undergo
changes over the course of the work of fiction
Static characters: characters who stay the same over the course of the work of fiction
Foil: is a character opposite in one major respect (i.e. personality trait) to that of the main character.

7. Characterization
Characterization is the method by which the author reveals character. This can be done directly or indirectly.
Direct Characterization – the author develops the personality of a character by direct statements.
Indirect Characterization – is when the author reveals a character’s personality through their thoughts, words, actions, as well as, physical appearance and what others say about them.

8. Plot
Plot - refers to the events that take place in a work of fiction. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.
Plot Diagram (Freytag’s Pyramid) German critic Gustav Freytag conceived the structure of a typical five‐act play as a pyramid.
This pattern of Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Dénouement can be applied to a wide variety of literary works.

9. Plot Diagram (Freytag’s Pyramid)3 4 2 5 1

10. 1. Exposition
This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

11. 2. Rising Action
This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

12. 3. Climax
This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

13. 4. Falling Action
All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

14. 5. Resolution
The story comes to a reasonable ending. All loose ends are tied up.

15. Setting
Setting refers both to the place, time, and circumstances in which a work takes place.
Setting often affects or contributes to the atmosphere of the story.

16. Point of View
refers to the “person” who tells the story in a work of fiction.
• Viewpoint refers, in other words, to the
narrator.
Viewpoint
• Types of narrators
– First‐person narrator (“I”): when the narrator is
one of the characters in the work and tells the
reader his or her own thoughts and feelings
– Second‐person narrator (“You”): when the reader
becomes the main character in the work
– Third‐person narrator (“He”/”She”): when the
narrator focuses on other characters rather than
on himself or herself