1. Elements of a Short Story
ENG2D
Elements of a Short Story

2. PLOT
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the causal arrangement of events and actions within a story.
Narrative – a sequence of events that make up a story
When we consider plot focus on:
-Foreshadowing (hints at future happenings)
-Conflict
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. A plot diagram is an organizational tool, which is used to map the significant events in a story. By placing the most significant events from a story on the plot diagram, you can visualize the key features of the story.

3. TYPES OF CONFLICT Human vs. Technology Human vs. Self
Human vs. Society
Human vs. Human
Human vs. Nature

4. CHARACTERIZATION
Characters are one of the tools authors use to communicate the main message of their story.
A protagonist is the leading character of the text.
An antagonist is a character who actively opposes or is hostile to something or someone.

5. FOUR TYPES OF CHARACTERIZATION
Below are a number of techniques the writer may use to develop character:
i. physical description of the character
ii. speech and actions of the character
iii. direct comment from the narrator
iv. speech and other actions of other characters

6. FOUR TYPES OF CHARACTERS
i. round – complex or presented in detail
ii. dynamic – developing and learning in the course of the story
iii. flat – characterized by one or two traits (unlike round)
iv. static – unchanged from the story’s beginning to end

7. ANALYZING CHARACTER – “LOOK-FORS”
motivation – cause of/reasons for actions
B. behaviour – actions of the character
C. consequences – results of actions
D. responsibility – moral, legal, or mental accountability
E. expectations – what the reader expects

8. SETTING- ASK YOURSELF:
Why was the setting chosen?
- Could the story have been set somewhere else? Why or why not?
- Are there any occurrences of pathetic fallacy (nature reflects the drama)?
- Is the setting as a whole, or specific elements of the setting symbolic? In other words, does the setting
represent something other than what it literally is?

9. NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW
A. Omniscient – the author tells the story using the third person. Author knows all that is being done, said, felt, and thought by the characters (God-like perspective)
B. Third person minor – author tells the story from the third person but limits observations of thoughts and feelings to one character; the author presents the story from this character’s eyes

10. C. First person – one character is the narrator who tells the story from their perspective. The reader sees and knows only as much as the narrator
D. Third person – the author is like a movie camera that moves around freely recording. As well, the author offers no insight into the characters or their actions. Readers are also not told the thoughts or feelings of the characters

11. STYLE
Style can be described as how an author constructs and adds meaning to their story (choice).
A. language – the type of language used in the story. Is it ornate or plain? Does it have a positive or negative tone? How does diction (word choice) contribute to meaning?
B. literary devices – also referred to as poetic devices or figurative language. Devices used by the author to construct meaning or add layers of depth to a text. Examples include: simile, metaphor, allusion, alliteration, etc.

12. THEME
Stories often communicate many different themes. Themes are the main messages of the story (effect). Simply put theme is one of the “morals” of the story. Examples of theme topics can include: -relationships -overcoming obstacles -manipulation -appearances vs. reality -the “other”