Elements of a Short Story

OBJECTIVES Identify elements of a short story Define elements of a short story Demonstrate mastery of short story elements

OVERVIEW Short stories often contain familiar structure and character elements . These elements can be used as guides to help you think about the actions, themes, and contexts of the story.

Elements of a Short Story Theme Setting Point of view Characters -Round -Flat -Static -Dynamic Characterization -Direct -Indirect Plot -exposition statement -rising action -conflict -climax -falling action -resolution

THEME The main idea of a literary work or lesson to be learned. A general idea or insight about life that a writer wishes to express. The theme is not presented directly, the reader must interpret the meaning and importance of the theme through characters, actions, and setting of the story.

THEME Some examples of them are: Good vs. Evil Growing up Family/ Friendship Overcoming challenges Courage Teamwork Actions speak louder than words Society and Class

SETTING The time and place in which a work of literature happens. The setting can change and may also influence the tone and mood of the story.

POINT OF VIEW The story teller from whose point of view the story is being told, the narrator. Third person omniscient First person Third person limited Second person

CHARACTERS A character is a person in a story, poem or play. Types of Characters: Round- fully developed, has many different character traits Flat- stereotyped, one-dimensional, few traits Static – Does not change Dynamic – Changes as a result of the story's events

CHARACTERIZATION The description of the personalities of the characters in the story and the way in which an author reveals their personalities. How the author develops the characters, especially the main character. This is done through: what the character does or says what others say of and to the character author’s word choice in descriptive passages

Characterization continued Direct characterization The author directly states what the character’s personality is like. Example: cruel, kind Indirect characterization -Showing a character’s personality through his/her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, appearance or other character’s observations or reactions

PLOT The sequence or order of events in a story. The plot includes: Exposition Statement - The part of the plot that tells how the story begins. Section that introduces characters, the setting, and conflicts. Rising Action - The action in the story leading up to the climax.

Plot Continued Conflict - Struggles or problems between opposing forces. Internal – takes place in a character’s own mind Man vs. Him(Her)self External – a character struggles against an outside force Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. technology, progress Man vs. Society Man vs. Supernatural Climax - The point of crisis in the plot. It may be the reader’s point of highest interest and suspense.

More PLOT Falling action - The action in the story after the climax is revealed. All events following the climax or turning point in the story. These events are a result of the action taken at the climax. Resolution - The part of the plot that reveals the final outcome. The end of the central conflict: it shows how the situation turns out and ties up loose ends

PLOT DIAGRAM Climax Rising Action Conflict Exposition Resolution Falling Action Exposition Resolution