Elements of a short story

Setting

The time and location in which a story takes place

Plot

how the author arranges events to develop the basic

idea; it is the sequence of events in the story.

Introduction

The beginning of a story that sets the stage for the plot and introduces characters and setting.

Rising action

This is when the events in the story become complicated and the conflict in the story is revealed.

Character

the person in a work of fiction

Protagonist

One character is clearly central to the story with all major events

having some importance to this character

Antagonist

The character who opposes the protagonist

Individual: Round

Many sided complex personalities

Developing: Dynamic

many sided personalities that change for better or worse, by the end of the story.

Static: Stereotype

have one or two characteristics that never change and are emphasized

Point of View

is defined as the angle form which the story is told

Innocent Eye

The story is told through the eyes of a child (his/her judgment being different from that of an adult)

Stream of Consciousness

The story is told so that the reader feels as if they are inside the head of

one character and knows all their thoughts and reactions.

First Person

The story is told by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely with the protagonist or other characters (using pronouns 1, me, we, etc). The reader sees the story through this person's eyes as he/she experiences it and only knows what he/she knows or feels.

Omniscient Limited

- The author tells the story in third person (using pronouns they, she, he, it, ete). We know only what the character knows and what the author allows him/her to tell us. We can see the thoughts and feelings of characters if the author chooses to reveal them to us.

Third Person Objective

The author tells the story in the third person. It appears as though a camera is following the characters, going anywhere, and recording only what is seen and heard. There is no comment on the characters or their thoughts. No interpretations are offered. The reader is placed in the position of spectator without the author there to explain. The reader has to interpret events on his own

Theme

its controlling idea or its central insight.

Conflict

Without it, there is no plot. It is the opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the Plot move.

External Conflict

A struggle with a force outside of one's Self.

Internal Conflict

A struggle within one's self, a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.

Climax

this is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the story. The reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not,

Falling Action

The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. The reader knows what has happened next and if the conflict was resolved or not.

Denoument

This is the final outcome or untangling of events in The story.

Man vs. man

(Physical) the leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men, forces of nature, or animals

Man vs. circumstances

(Classical) The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him,

Man Vs. Society (Social)

(Social) the leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people

Man vs. himself

(Psychological) The leading character struggles with himself; with his own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.