1. Elements of the Short Story

2. Setting: time and place
Setting: time and place *Establishes atmosphere – mood (how reader feels) tone(how writer feels) *Reveals character *Creates conflict

3. Plot: what happens; sequence of events

4. Resolution or Denouement
Plot Diagram
Climax
Falling Action
Rising Action
Resolution or Denouement
Complications
Exposition
Character
Setting
Basic Situation

5. Characters: who or what the story is about

6. Characterization: how a writer reveals character
Direct Characterization: writer tells us what a character is like
Evil Shy Silly
Indirect Characterization: writer reveals character through subtle layers

7. Layers of Indirect Characterization
What a character looks like –physical appearance
What a character says – dialogue
What a character does – actions
What a character thinks – thoughts
How other characters react - effects

8. Kinds of Characters
Static – a character who stays the same throughout the story
Dynamic – a character who changes throughout the story
Flat – 2 dimensional with only 1 or 2 personality traits
Round – 3 dimensional like real-life people
Stock – fits our preconceived notions; stereotypical

9. Point of View – angle from which the story is told
1st person – narrator is involved in the story; uses pronouns “I, me, we, us…”
3rd person – narrator not involved in story; on the outside looking in; uses pronouns “He, she, they…”
Limited – narrator focuses on thoughts, feelings… of only one character
Omniscient – all-knowing narrator who tells thoughts, feelings all characters

10. Theme – basic idea about life
Should be universal (appeal to all people, in all places, at all times)
Should be a statement or sentence but can be worded many ways
Often found in the change of the character or the resolution of the conflict
Not necessarily a lesson or moral, but a life “truth”