1. Short StoryElementsMr. Constantine English 11

2. What is a short story? A brief, imaginative narrative containing fewcharacters, simple plot, conflict, andsuspense which leads to a climax and aswift conclusion. Can be read in one sitting 3. THE 4 ELEMENTS OF THE SHORT STORY PLOT SETTING CHARACTER THEME 4. #1. PLOTThe chain of events in a story.Consists of 6 main ingredients:1. Introduction/Exposition2. Inciting incident3. Rising action4. Climax5. Falling Action6. Resolution 5. PLOT GRAPHAn excellent way to map out a storys plot 6. IntroductionIntroduces the reader to: Setting Basic situation Characters involved Narrative Hook: question or statement thatgrabs the readers attention 7. Inciting Incident The first major action in the story that setsthe story in motion (gets the ball rolling). 8. Rising ActionIncidents which carry the plot along. It oftenincludes the following: Foreshadowing Flashback Conflict Suspense 9. FORESHADOWING A technique for hinting at events that mayoccur later in the plot. 10. FLASHBACK The insertion of an earlier event into the timeorder of a narrative. 11. Conflict It is what prevents the main character from getting what he or shewants The plot is driven by climax and it is THE MOST IMPORTANTFEATURE OF THE STORY There are two types of conflicts: Internal and External 12. Internal ConflictPERSON VS. SELF 13. External ConflictPERSON VS. PERSON 14. External ConflictPERSON VS. SOCIETY 15. External ConflictPERSON VS.THE ENVIRONMENT 16. External ConflictPERSON VS. FATE 17. External ConflictPERSON VS. TECHNOLOGY 18. External ConflictPERSON VS. THE SUPERNATURAL 19. SUSPENSE The feeling ofexcitement andcuriosity that keepsthe reader turning thepages; created bymaking the readerswonder how theconflict will beresolved 20. CLIMAX The highest point ofinterest in the story whenthe character(s) solveshis/her struggles Usually the point ofhighest emotion The climax can beSUBJECTIVE (there maybe different answers, soyou must prove yourchoice) 21. FALLING ACTION The character completes the action ofhis/her decision 22. THE RESOLUTION The final workings of a storys conflict All of the loose ends are tied up (usually) Narrative Twist: a surprise ending 23. #2. SETTING The time (time of day, season, present, past, future) andthe location (country, planet, town, buildings, PLUS adescription of the surroundings) where the action occurs Helps to create the mood and atmosphere of the text 24. ATMOSPHERE The feeling that the setting evokes (i.e.mysterious, happy, eerie) 25. MOOD The authors emotional attitude toward thesubject matter (i.e. excitement, nostalgia) NOT the mood of the characters 26. #3. CHARACTERs Any personalities whoare involved in the plotof the story (people,animals, fantasycharacters) Usually less than 6 ina short story 27. PROTAGONIST Usually the good guyor hero in the story The main characterthat we follow The character thatstrives to solve theconflict 28. ANTAGONIST The bad guy orvillain in the story Usually createsconflict for the maincharacter 29. SECONDARY CHARACTERS Other characters who are necessary tomoving the plot along, but may not beinvolved with the central conflict 30. CHARACTER TRAITSPhysical and personality characteristics thatare revealed through:1. What the character does2. What the character says3. What other characters say or do about thecharacter4. What the author states directly5. What the author infers 31. #4. THEMEThe central idea about life that the storyhighlights; THE MAIN IDEA (universal truths).The message the author is conveying.1. Determine the specific conflict2. Decide what side of the conflict the storyrepresents3. How is the conflict resolved? Who wins?Who loses? 32. THEME Theme is NOT the moral of the story Theme is NOT plot Theme IS the general subject matter of awork of art Theme may contain a message 33. THEME Not all short stories have a theme; someare just for entertainment or fun 34. THEME OR NOT A THEME?1) Red Riding Hood is about how you shouldnt trust strangers2) Stars Wars is a movie about Luke Skywalker3) Apocalypse Now is about the insanity of war.4) This painting is about loneliness5) That story is about two guys who steal a car6) Romeo and Juliet is about love7) Romeo and Juliet is about two families fighting8) I saw a movie last night about survival9) Hansel and Gretel is about two children10) Cinderella is about poetic justice