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.

Definition of a Short Story Tells about a single event or experience Fictional (not true) 500 to 15,000 words in length It has a beginning, middle, and end Creates an impression on the reader

Elements of a Short Story Setting Characterization Plot Conflict Climax Resolution Theme Point of view

Short Story Vocabulary Setting: Tells the reader where and when the story takes place. Also includes- Weather conditions Social conditions’ Mood, atmosphere Time place

Short Story Vocabulary Characterization: Creation of imaginary people who appear to be real to the reader. The writer gives information about the characters in the story. Physical appearance, what the characters says or does, feels, and how others react to him

Characters Antagonist-bad guy Protagonist- good guy

Major and Minor Characters Major Character- the most important to the story Minor characters- characters in the story that aren’t the lead characters

Short Story Vocabulary Plot: A series of events through which the writer reveals what is happening, to whom, and why.

Plot How the author arranges events to develop his basic idea A short story usually has one plot, a novel can have a few plots

Introduction The beginning of the story where the characters and setting is revealed.

Rising Action The events in the story become complicated and the conflict in the story is revealed

Short Story Vocabulary Conflict: Is a problem in the story that needs to be resolved. Internal conflict- a struggle within one’s self External Conflict-a struggle with a force outside of one’s self

Types of Conflict Man vs Man Man vs Society Man vs Nature Man vs Self

Short Story Vocabulary Climax: When the action comes to its highest point of conflict. Highest point of interest, turning point

Falling Action The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. The reader knows what happened next and whether or not the conflict was resolved

Short Story Vocabulary Resolution: The story’s action after the climax until the end of the story. The “conclusion” of the story. The final outcome –the untangling of events

Short Story Vocabulary Theme: The story’s main ideas. The “message” the writer intends to communicate by telling the story.

Short Story Vocabulary Point of view: The position of the narrator of the story and what the writer sees from that vantage point.

1st person- 2nd person Third person-limited Third person-omniscient

Elements of a Short Story Setting Characterization Plot Conflict Climax Resolution Theme Point of view

Short Story Great writers are able to use the elements of the short story with such precision that the reader is caught up in the action of the story. This is a mark of a good story and our goal as a writer.