1. Elements of Short Stories

2. Short Stories
Short story- a brief work of fiction intended to be read in a single sitting
Elements of a short story- characters, setting, plot, conflict, point of view, theme
Plot
Characters
Setting
Conflict

3. Characters and characterization
Characters- the people or animals who take part in the action
Characterization- the act of creating and developing a character
Direct characterization- narrator makes direct statements about a character’s personality
Indirect characterization- writer shows what a character is like by providing details about what the characters say and do, what other characters say about them, and how other characters respond to them
Dialogue- character’s words; helps to move the action along

4. Setting Setting- the time and place of the story’s action
Characters live and act in a setting.
Helps to set the atmosphere or mood.

5. Plot and plot structure
Plot- the sequence of events in a story
Plot structure- the way in which story events are organized
Exposition- introduces the characters and their situation
Rising action- develops the conflict
Climax- the turning point at which the story’s outcome is determined; moment of greatest intensity
Falling action- sets up the ending
Resolution- conclusion
Chronological order- events unfold in time order
Flashback- shows events from before

6. Conflict
Conflict- struggle between opposing forces, calls on characters to act and drives the plot
Internal conflict- takes place in the character’s mind
character vs. self
External conflict- takes place between a character and an outside force
Character vs. character
Character vs. nature

7. Point of view
Point of view- the perspective from which a story is told
First-person point of view- story is told from the perspective of a character in the story
(I, me, my)
Third-person point of view- story is told from the perspective of a narrator outside the story
Omniscient third-person narrator- narrator knows everything that happens and reveals what characters feel and think
Limited third-person narrator- reveals the thoughts and feelings of a single character

8. Theme Theme- a central message or insight about life
Stated theme- expressed directly by the author
Implied theme- suggested by what happens to the characters
Universal theme- message about life that has been expressed throughout time and in different cultures
The details of a short story (characters, setting, plot, and conflict) work together to develop the story’s theme.
Tips for identifying a story’s theme:
Note changes in characters
Trace the development of the plot, look at the choices characters had to make, and evaluate the resolution
Pay attention to the setting
Keep an eye out for irony (what happens is the opposite of what the reader or characters expects to happen)