Short Story Elements

Short Story Elements Characters Setting Theme Point of View Conflict Plot

Plot Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story.

Plot Components Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story. Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict. Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes. Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable. Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point. Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

Plot: Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

Plot: Types of Conflict Character vs Character Character vs Nature Character vs Society Character vs Self

3. Middle 5 2 Climax 4. Falling Action 2. Rising Action 4 3 1 One day a big bad wolf decided to have him some pigs for supper. So he went to each house huffing and puffing. He was threatening to blow their house down. The three little pigs lived happily ever after in the sturdy brick house. 3. Middle 5 The wolf blew down the first two houses. One was made of straw and the other of sticks. He then came to the house made of bricks. The three brothers were so frightened! 2 Climax 4. Falling Action The wolf blew and blew but couldn't blow the house down. He finally gave up. 2. Rising Action Once upon a time there were three little pigs who were brothers. They each lived in their own house. 4 3 1 1. Beginning 5. End

the story is about. There is usually Characters Who or what the story is about. There is usually always one or two main characters.

Setting Where and when the story takes place.

Point of View The angle from which the story is being told.

What lesson are you learning? Theme What is the author's meaning of the story. What lesson are you learning?