Elements of a Short story

Plot Plot- Sequence of events that tie the beginning of the story to the end of the story Develops in 5 stages Exposition Rising action Climax Falling action Resolution

Plot Exposition – introduces the story’s characters, setting and conflict Rising action – occurs as complications, twists, or intensification in the conflict occurs Climax- the story’s most dramatic moment Falling action – the logical result of the climax Resolution – presents the final outcome of the story

Conflict Conflict – The struggle between 2 or more forces that must be resolved by the end of the narrative(story) External Conflict – Between a character and an outside force, such as another character, nature, society or fate Internal Conflict – Takes place within the mind of the character

Setting Setting – a story’s time and place Can contain absolutes (descriptions of places) or abstractions (ideas, customs, and values of a society or a place Description – Used to create an image of a place. Helps readers to see, hear, smell taste or feel the person place or thing the writer is describing

Characters Characters – The people, animals and other individuals in a story

Characters are people or animals that take part in the story *Main character: the most important character *Minor character: less important, pose problems or give opinions to main character Characters: *Characterization: ways of showing what a character is like (appearance, dialogue, age, occupation, religion, gender, relationships, opinions, etc.) *Character development: the change in a character from beginning to end *Dialogue: verbal and nonverbal communication between characters

*Protagonist: the hero faced with a conflict, usually the main character YEAH!!!! Characters: *Antagonist: the villain, creates conflict for the main character BOO! HISS!

Theme: The central idea which reveals aspects of human nature Tone: The attitude an author takes toward his or her subject The feelings or emotions the reader gets while reading Mood:

Theme Theme – The main idea or message Stated Theme- Is expressed directly (through words) Implied Theme – Is revealed through setting , point of view, and the action of the characters

Point of View Narrator- the person who tells the story First person point of view – The narrator is a character in the story Third person point of view – The narrator is outside the story and uses “he” or “she” to tell the story Omniscient – When the narrator knows how characters feel, think, and what they are going to do

Voice Voice – the distinctive use of language that conveys the author’s or narrator’s personality Dialect – Variation of a language spoken by a group of people Dialogue – Conversation between characters Diction – A writer’s choice of words

Irony Verbal Irony: Character says one thing but means another; sarcasm Dramatic Irony: The audience knows something that the character does not Situational Irony: The opposite of what is expected to happen