Elements of a Short Story

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

 Theme  Setting  Characters  Point of view  Characterizati on  Plot exposition rising action conflict climax falling action resolution Elements of a Short Story

Theme The main idea of a literary work, usually expressed as an underlying message. Setting The time and place in which a work of literature happens.

Characters The people (or actors) in the story. How the “story teller” (the narrator) sees or views things. Point of View

Characterization The description of the personalities of the characters in the story and the way in which an author reveals their personalities. There are 2 types of characterization: Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization

Characterization (cont.)  Direct Characterization: the writer makes direct statements about a character's personality and tells the reader what the character is like.  Indirect Characterization: the writer reveals information about a character through that character's thoughts, words, and actions. Traits are also revealed through what other characters think or say