1. Elements of a Short Story
Students will be provided a copy of the power point presentation in outline form. The outline form will have blanks to be filled in during the presentation. This presentation is in preparation of writing a short story for their portfolio. This presentation was designed for a resource Language Arts class; students having learning and behavior disorders.

2. Definition of a Short Story
it’s about a single event or experience
fictional (not true)‏
500 to 15,000 words in length
has a beginning, middle, and end
creates an impression on the reader

3. Elements of a Short Story
Setting
Characterization
Conflict
Theme
Point of view
Plot

4. Setting
Tells the reader where and when the story takes place

5. Characterization Indirectly Directly what the character says and does
The writer gives information about the characters in the story
The reader can learn about characters in one of two ways:
Indirectly
what the character says and does
what others say about the character
what the character wears
Directly
through the author’s description

6. The main problem in the story
Conflict
External Conflict
human vs. nature
human vs. human
human vs. society
human vs. supernatural
Internal Conflict
human vs. self
What is the conflict?
The main problem in the story

7. Theme The story’s main ideas
The “message” the writer intends to communicate by telling the story

8. Point of View
Point of view: The position of the narrator of the story and what the writer sees from that vantage point.
There are two main points of view:
Third Person
He, she, they
First Person
I, me, we

9. Plot Diagram 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 2. Rising Action
1.Introduction
5. Resolution

10. 1. Introduction usually occurs at the beginning of a short story
the characters are introduced
learn about the setting of the story
we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem)‏

11. 2. Rising Action begins to develop the conflict(s)‏
a building of interest or suspense occurs

12. 3. Climax 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 resolved

14. 5. Resolution
The story comes to a reasonable ending