Shortened Story Elements

What is the plot?

The plot is the sequence of events in a story – a planned, logical series of events with a beginning, middle, and end.

What are the elements that make up the Plot?

Introduction, Rising Action, Climax, and Denouement or Conclusion.

What is the Introduction (or Exposition)?

The Introduction (or Exposition) should be brief, create interest, give the necessary background information, and introduce the principal characters. Give the setting in both time and place and possibly suggest the story's theme.

What is the Rising Action?

This makes up the major portion of the plot. It is a succession of steps or obstacles or problems which lead to the climax.

What is the Climax?

This is the culmination of the rising action events. It is the turning point where the struggle of the rising action changes direction, so that the forces which were winning in the rising action are defeated. It is normally the highest point of interest in the story and is usually brief and distinct.

What is the Denouement or Conclusion?

This is the winding up or resolution of the plot.

What must a short story writer do to develop a character?

To develop a character, the short story writer must reveal a character.

What is one way a writer reveals a character?

What other characters say about the character.

What are the elements of Setting?

Place, Time, and Social Conditions.

What is Atmosphere?

Atmosphere may be broken down to two categories: Mood and Tone.

What is Mood?

The mood is the feeling the story gives the reader.

What is Tone?

In short stories, tone is the attitude the writer seems to have toward the subject matter.

What is Point of View?

The perspective from which the short story is told.

What is First Person Narration?

Here the person telling the story is one of the characters. The pronoun "I, me" etc. are used.

What is Third Person Limited Narration?

Here the author uses third person pronouns like "he, she, it, they" and so on.

What is Third Person Omniscient Narration?

The narrator sees into the minds of all the characters.

What is Conflict?

Conflict is the opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot move.

What are the five types of Conflict?

Person vs. Person; Person vs. Self; Person vs. Society; Person vs. Nature; Person vs. Fate.

What is Theme?

The theme is the central insight or lesson about life that the author wants to convey.

How MUST Theme be expressed?

Theme MUST be expressed as a sentence.

What is a Protagonist?

The main character in a short story.

What is an Antagonist?

The person or force opposing the protagonist.