Elements of the Short Story

Setting: time and place Setting: time and place *Establishes atmosphere – mood (how reader feels) tone(how writer feels) *Reveals character *Creates conflict

Plot: what happens; sequence of events

Resolution or Denouement Plot Diagram Climax Falling Action Rising Action Resolution or Denouement Complications Exposition Character Setting Basic Situation

Characters: who or what the story is about

Characterization: how a writer reveals character Direct Characterization: writer tells us what a character is like Evil Shy Silly Indirect Characterization: writer reveals character through subtle layers

Layers of Indirect Characterization What a character looks like –physical appearance What a character says – dialogue What a character does – actions What a character thinks – thoughts How other characters react - effects

Kinds of Characters Static – a character who stays the same throughout the story Dynamic – a character who changes throughout the story Flat – 2 dimensional with only 1 or 2 personality traits Round – 3 dimensional like real-life people Stock – fits our preconceived notions; stereotypical

Point of View – angle from which the story is told 1st person – narrator is involved in the story; uses pronouns “I, me, we, us…” 3rd person – narrator not involved in story; on the outside looking in; uses pronouns “He, she, they…” Limited – narrator focuses on thoughts, feelings… of only one character Omniscient – all-knowing narrator who tells thoughts, feelings all characters

Theme – basic idea about life Should be universal (appeal to all people, in all places, at all times) Should be a statement or sentence but can be worded many ways Often found in the change of the character or the resolution of the conflict Not necessarily a lesson or moral, but a life “truth”