Elements of Short Stories English 12

Six Short Story Elements Setting Plot Conflict Character Point of view Theme

Setting The time and location in which a story takes place is called the setting. There are several aspects of a story's setting to consider when examining how setting contributes to a story (some, or all, may be present in a story): a) place b) time c) weather conditions d) social conditions e) mood or atmosphere

Plot Plot is the sequence of events. It is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end. The short story usually has one plot so it can be read in one sitting. There are five essential parts of plot: a) Introduction b) Rising Action c) Climax d) Falling action e) Denouement

Conflict Conflict is essential to the movement of the plot. Conflict is not limited to open arguments, rather it is any form of opposition that faces the main character. There are two types of conflict: 1) External 2) Internal There are four kinds of conflict: 1) Character vs. Character (physical) 2) Character vs. Circumstances (classical) 3) Character vs. Society (social) 4) Character vs. Himself/Herself (psychological)

Character Character refers to a person in a work of fiction, and that person’s characteristics. Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character - he/she is the PROTAGONIST. The opposer of the main character is called the ANTAGONIST. The Characteristics of a Person - Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves, such as: a) his/her physical appearance b) what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams c) what he/she does or does not do d) what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her

Point of view Point of view (POV) is the angle from which the story is told. 1. Innocent Eye 2. Stream of Consciousness 3. First Person 4. Omniscient (all knowing)

Theme The theme in a piece of fiction is its controlling idea or its central insight. The title of the short story may point to the writer’s theme/message/insight. The writer may use literary devices to emphasize the theme, such as: symbolism, allusion, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or irony.