1. Short Story Elements

2. Short Stories Develop
Plot
Characters
Setting
Narrator/Point of View

3. Plot
Plot is the series of related events in a story, each connected to the text.
Plot tells us the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
The sequence of events can be altered, such as in foreshadowing or flashback, to add interest

4. Plot elements
Exposition – the opening of a story, when characters and their conflicts are introduced.
In “Most Dangerous Game,” the reader knows that something bad will happen on the island when Whitney and Rainsford discuss the name and the area. We also find out that Rainsford is a hunter who thinks that the animals they hunt have no feelings. We also know that they are on a boat in the dark.

5. Plot elements Conflict – inner and outer conflict
External conflict is between people or a person and a force of nature
(man vs. man or man vs. nature)
Internal conflict is inside a character’s head or heart
(man vs. self)

6. Characters
Direct characterization- the author tells you EXACTLY what s/he wants you to know (Sally is smart.)
Indirect characterization- the author tells you about a character by telling you about actions/ events (Sally’s mom rewarded her for making all A’s.)

7. Character Types Protagonist – main character who has a conflict
Antagonist – person who opposes main character
Round characters – described with many details and fully described
Flat characters – not many details are offered about him or her
Dynamic characters – people who change in the course of the story
Static characters – people who never change in the story

8. Setting Authors use sensory details to develop setting.
Sights – busy street, elegant clothes
Sounds – beeps, screams, barks
Smells – turkey in the oven, locker room stench, fire
Touch – soft couch, cold hallway
Taste –popcorn and soda at the movies

9. Five more elements of setting
Geographical
Regional
Physical vs. mental
Specific vs. universal
Time period

10. Narrator
Third Person Omniscient – one who is not a character and uses third person pronouns (he, she, names, etc.) – all knowing
Third Person Limited – one who is not a character, but only gives the perspective of one character – stalker
First Person – the narrator is a character, but the perspective is unreliable because the character only gives readers his or her own ideas – about self