1. Short Story Elements

2. Setting The time and place of a story’s action.
When and where the story takes place.

3. Characters
Animals or people who participate in the story.

4. Protagonist
The main character of the story.

5. Antagonist
The character who opposes the main character of a story.

6. Point of View
The vantage point from which the story is told.

7. Narrator
The storyteller or person telling the story.

8. First Person Point of View
When the narrator is a character IN the story and uses “I”.

9. Third Person Limited Point of View
When the narrator is NOT a character in the story and uses “he” and “she”.
Knows the thoughts and actions of only 1 character.

10. Third Person Omniscient Point of View
The narrator is NOT a character in the story, but can reveal the thoughts and feelings of ALL the characters.

11. Theme
The central or main idea of a story.

12. Stated Theme
When the main idea of a story is directly stated or told by the narrator.

13. Implied Theme
When the main idea of a story is not directly stated but must be inferred or guessed.

14. Plot
The series of events that makes up the story.

15. Conflict
A struggle between two opposing people or forces.

16. External Conflict A struggle between a character and an outside force.
For example:
man vs. man
man vs. nature
man vs. society

17. Internal Conflict
A struggle that takes place inside a character’s mind.

18. Plot Stages
1. Exposition: The introduction to a literary work that includes the setting, characters, and conflict.
2. Rising Action: All of the complications and twists that arise from the conflict and lead to the climax.
3. Climax: The emotional high-point or turning point of the story.
4. Falling Action: All of the events that result from the climax and lead to the resolution.
5. Resolution: The outcome or ending of a story in which the conflict is resolved.