1. Elements of a Short Story

2. OBJECTIVES Identify elements of a short story
Define elements of a short story
Demonstrate mastery of short story elements

3. OVERVIEW
Short stories often contain familiar structure and character elements .
These elements can be used as guides to help you think about the actions, themes, and contexts of the story.

4. Elements of a Short Story
Theme
Setting
Point of view
Characters
-Round
-Flat
-Static
-Dynamic
Characterization
-Direct
-Indirect
Plot
-exposition statement
-rising action
-conflict
-climax
-falling action
-resolution

5. THEME The main idea of a literary work or lesson to be learned.
A general idea or insight about life that a writer wishes to express.
The theme is not presented directly, the reader must interpret the meaning and importance of the theme through characters, actions, and setting of the story.

6. THEME Some examples of them are: Good vs. Evil Growing up
Family/ Friendship
Overcoming challenges
Courage
Teamwork
Actions speak louder than words
Society and Class

7. SETTING The time and place in which a work of literature happens.
The setting can change and may also influence the tone and mood of the story.

8. POINT OF VIEW
The story teller from whose point of view the story is being told, the narrator.
Third person omniscient
First person
Third person limited
Second person

9. CHARACTERS A character is a person in a story, poem or play.
Types of Characters:
Round- fully developed, has many different character traits
Flat- stereotyped, one-dimensional, few traits
Static – Does not change
Dynamic – Changes as a result of the story's events

10. CHARACTERIZATION
The description of the personalities of the characters in the story and the way in which an author reveals their personalities.
How the author develops the characters, especially the main character.
This is done through:
what the character does or says
what others say of and to the character
author’s word choice in descriptive passages

11. Characterization continued
Direct characterization
The author directly states what the character’s personality is like. Example: cruel, kind
Indirect characterization
-Showing a character’s personality through his/her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, appearance or other character’s observations or reactions

12. PLOT The sequence or order of events in a story. The plot includes:
Exposition Statement - The part of the plot that tells how the story begins. Section that introduces characters, the setting, and conflicts.
Rising Action - The action in the story leading up to the climax.

13. Plot Continued
Conflict - Struggles or problems between opposing forces.
Internal – takes place in a character’s own mind
Man vs. Him(Her)self
External – a character struggles against an outside force
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. technology, progress
Man vs. Society
Man vs. Supernatural
Climax - The point of crisis in the plot. It may be the reader’s point of highest interest and suspense.

14. More PLOT
Falling action - The action in the story after the climax is revealed. All events following the climax or turning point in the story. These events are a result of the action taken at the climax.
Resolution - The part of the plot that reveals the final outcome. The end of the central conflict: it shows how the situation turns out and ties up loose ends

15. PLOT DIAGRAM Climax Rising Action Conflict Exposition Resolution
Falling Action
Exposition
Resolution