Elements of a Short Story

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Elements of a Short Story

• English
• Henrico County Schools

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SHORT STORY TERMINOLOGY

• Fiction-describes literature that is created in
  the imagination of the writer

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Historical Fiction

• Story set in the past
• Fictional characters take part in actual
  historical events
• Fictional characters interact with real people
  from the past

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The Short Story

• Short story is a type of fiction that can be read
  in one sitting and has five major elements.

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The 5 Elements

• Setting-is where and when
• Plot - is the structure of events
• Characters-individuals in the story

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. . .5 elements continued

• Point of view-is the perspective from which the
  writer tells the story
• Theme-is the universal message about life

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Two Types of Characters

• Round Usually a main character in a story.
  They have many realistic traits, and they
  demonstrate the capacity to change. Thus making
  them dynamic.

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. . .continued

• Flat Usually a minor character. Not much is
  known about a flat characters traits if
  anything. A flat character does not change
  within the story. Thus, they are static.

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Stereotype

• Refers to something that conforms to a fixed or
  general pattern, without individual
  distinguishing marks or patterns
• Standardized mental picture, held in common by
  members of a group, which represents an
  oversimplified opinion.

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Point of View

• First person when a character describes the
  action as a participant in his or her own words.
• Third person when a narrator outside the action
  describes events and characters. 2 types of 3rd
  person.

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Third Person Point of View

• Omniscient may describe the action and thoughts
  of several characters.
• Limited events are related through the eyes of
  one character

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CONFLICT

• Conflict is the struggle between two opposing
  forces

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Two Types of Conflict

• External Conflict-the struggle between two
  characters, nature, or society
• Internal Conflict-the struggle within a character

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The Plot Line

• Exposition- the author introduces the reader to
  the people, places, and situations
• Narrative Hook-is the point at which the author
  catches our attention, first hint of a problem

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The plot thickens.

• Rising Action-adds complications to the problems
  and increases our interest in the story

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. . .continued

• Climax-is the point in the story when the reader
  knows for certain how the problems are going to
  be resolved. Also, the point of highest
  interest, and a turning point in the action.

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And finally...

• Falling Action-relates the events that are the
  result of the climax
• Resolution-ends the falling action of a story by
  telling or implying the final outcome