Short Story Elements
What is a short story? A brief, imaginative narrative containing few characters, simple plot, conflict, and suspense which leads to a climax and a swift conclusion.
THE 5 ELEMENTS OF THE SHORT STORY PLOT CONFLICT SETTING CHARACTER THEME
#1. PLOT The chain of events in a story. Consists of 6 main ingredients: Introduction/Exposition Inciting incident Rising action Climax Falling Action Resolution
#2. CONFLICT It is what prevents the main character from getting what he or she wants The plot is driven by climax and it is THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE STORY There are two types of conflicts: Internal and External
Internal Conflict MAN VS. SELF
External Conflict MAN VS. MAN
External Conflict MAN VS. SOCIETY
External Conflict MAN VS. NATURE
External Conflict MAN VS. TECHNOLOGY
#3. SETTING The time (time of day, season, present, past, future) and the location (country, planet, town, buildings, PLUS a description of the surroundings) where the action occurs Helps to create the mood and atmosphere of the text
MOOD The author’s emotional attitude toward the subject matter (i.e. excitement, nostalgia) NOT the mood of the characters
#4. CHARACTERS Any personalities who are involved in the plot of the story (people, animals, fantasy characters)
PROTAGONIST Usually the “good guy” or hero in the story The main character that we follow The character that strives to solve the conflict
ANTAGONIST The “bad guy” or villain in the story Usually creates conflict for the main character
#5. THEME The message the author is conveying.
THEME OR NOT A THEME? 1) Red Riding Hood is about how you shouldn’t trust strangers 2) Stars Wars is a movie about Luke Skywalker 3) Apocalypse Now is about the insanity of war. 4) This painting is about loneliness 5) That story is about two guys who steal a car 6) Romeo and Juliet is about love 7) Romeo and Juliet is about two families fighting 8) I saw a movie last night about survival 9) Hansel and Gretel is about two children 10) Cinderella is about poetic justice