1. The Elements of Short Stories
Class Notes
The Elements of Short Stories

2. Setting Setting Place Time Weather conditions Social conditions
Mood or atmosphere
Setting in “Changes”

3. Conflict
Definition: Struggle between two forces in a story.

4. Kinds of Conflict External Conflict Human vs. Human Human vs. Nature
Human vs. Society
Human vs. Self
Internal Conflict

5. Plot Components
Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action
Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax
Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story.
Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes.
Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable.
Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point.
Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts
Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

6. Characters Police officers “Changes” Definition
Protagonist - The central character of the story
Antagonist - The opposing force in the story
African-Americans
Police officers

7. Characters and Characterization
information the author gives the reader about the characters.
The author may reveal a character in several ways: a)  his/her physical appearance b)  what s/he says, thinks, feels and dreams c)  what s/he does or does not do d)  what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her

8. Characterization in “Changes”
Write down examples of chracterization in “Changes”

9. Plot Components Exposition: the start of the story
What is the exposition in “Changes”
2. Rising Action: the series of conflicts.
What is the rising action in “Changes”
3. Climax: the most intense moment
What is the climax in “Changes”
Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story.
Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes.
Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable.
Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point.
What is the falling action in “Changes”
4. Falling Action: action after the climax
What is the resolution in “Changes”
5. Resolution: the conclusion

10. Point of View The perspective from which a story is told.
Points of view include:
First person
Stream of consciousness
Omniscient

11. Point of View First Person
Story is told  by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely with the protagonist or other characters (using pronouns I, me, we, etc). 
Reader sees the story through this person's eyes as s/he experiences it

12. Point of View Omniscient
Storyteller/author knows all the facts about the character(s)

13. Point of View Stream of Consciousness
The reader feels as if they are inside the head of one character and knows all their thoughts and reactions.

14. Theme The controlling idea, central insight, or message of the story.
Focus of the story.
Explains what happens and why it happens.
Theme is often inferred based on characters and situations in a story.
To find the theme of a story consider:
The purpose of the story
What view of life does it supports, or what insight into life it reveals.