Elements of Literature in Short Stories

What is a short story? The short story is a work of fiction that is shorter and more limited than the novel. It usually focuses on one important event in the lives of a small number of central characters. Short stories vary in length but are usually short enough to be able to be read in one sitting.

Plot Series of related events that make-up the story

Elements of Plot Exposition: The actions that help the story begin Turning Point: the initial problem which begins the story’s plot Rising Action: story becomes more complicated (more problems/conflicts) Conflict: struggle between two opposing forces Climax: high point of the story Falling Action: events that lead to a solution Resolution: the outcome of the problem

Flashback When the author inserts an earlier event

Foreshadowing An author’s use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the story. Not all foreshadowing is obvious. Frequently, future events are merely hinted at through dialogue, description, or the attitudes and reactions of the characters.

Conflict Struggle between two opposing forces

Man vs. Himself Internal struggle concerning emotion and decision

Man vs. Man An external struggle between two or more individuals

Man vs. Nature External struggle between man and an element of nature

Man vs. Machine External conflict between man and a machine

Setting When and where the story takes place

Protagonist: The main character in a story, the one with whom the reader is meant to identify.

Antagonist Counterpart to the main character and source of a story’s main conflict.

Point of View Who is speaking; who is telling the story Four major point of views

Mood The climate of  feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. For example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone

Suspense The uncertainty or anxiety we feel about what is going to happen next

Irony A situation in a story that turns out to be the opposite of what we expected. Types of irony: Verbal- what is said is the opposite from what is meant Situational- what happens is very different from what is expected Dramatic- what the reader knows to be true is different from what the character knows