The Basic Elements of a Short Story 9 th Grade English I/Literacy

Definition of a Short Story Tells about a single event or experience Fictional (not true) 500 to 15,000 words in length Can be read in one sitting Few characters, one plot, one theme, one setting Creates an impression on the reader

Basic Elements of a Short Story Plot/Conflict Character(ization) Setting Theme Point of View

Short Story Elements Plot: The story line, or action of a narrative. Usually, plot is divided into five parts: Exposition Complication (rising) Climax Denouement (falling) Conclusion

Short Story Elements Conflict: The central source of tension and drama in the story. Conflict is sometimes referred to as the “story problem” that must be solved 4 common types of conflict: ???

Short Story Elements Characterization:  The presentation of fictional beings as credible persons  Also, the particular methods of description, detail, action and dialogue that the author uses to make his or her characters believable.

Short Story Elements Setting: the environment in which a story takes place Often times the story’s action and characters are effected by setting both physically and psychologically Ex: large city vs. deserted island

Short Story Elements Theme: The central idea or main point of a literary work; usually dealing with universal truths or human experience such as love, good vs. evil, life and death

Short Story Elements Point of view: The perspective from which the story is told and what the narrator sees from that vantage point. Omniscient Limited

Basic Elements of a Short Story Plot/Conflict Characterization Setting Theme Point of View

Great writers are able to use the elements of the short story with such precision that the reader is caught up in the action of the story. This is a trademark of a great author and story.

Goals for Our Short Story Unit 1.You will identify which elements are intended to be very “obvious” by the authors throughout our unit. 2.You will learn to distinguish the various points of view from which a story is told. 3.You will learn about all of the previously mentioned short story elements.