INTRODUCTION TO

LITERARY CONCEPTS
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
SY 2020-2021

P.N. V. de Ramos
ELEMENTS OF SHORT STORY
• Exposition
• Foreshadowing
• Inciting Incident
• Conflict
• Rising Action
ELEMENTS OF SHORT STORY
• Crisis
• Climax
• Falling Action
• Denouement
• End
EXPOSITION
This concept pertains to the introductory material in a text which
presents the setting, creates the tone, introduces the characters, and
shows other facts necessary to understanding the story.
FORESHADOWING
The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.
Most of the time, this concept tricks the readers and/or viewers using
symbols in order to trigger their thinking which leads to guessing
future course of action that might occur in the story.
INCITING INCIDENT
The event or character that triggers the conflict. In addition, it is also
known as an event that hooks the viewer into the story and sets
everything else that happens into motion. This moment is when an
event thrusts the protagonist into the main action of the story.
CONFLICT
The essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we
encounter can usually be identified as one of four kinds:
• Man versus Man
• Man versus Nature
• Man versus Society
• Man versus Self
Man vs. Man
It can be depicted in situations in which two characters have opposing
desires or interests. The typical scenario is a conflict between the
protagonist and antagonist.
Man vs. Nature
In this type of conflict, a character is tormented by natural forces such
as storms or animals. In addition to that, this is also an external
conflict.
Man vs. Society
In this conflict, a character must take on society itself, and not a single
person. The character stands at odds with societal norms and realizes
the necessity to work against these norms which is oppressive and
unjust in nature.
Man vs. Self
This conflict develops from a protagonist’s inner struggles, and may
depend on a character trying to decide between good and evil or
overcome self-doubts. This conflict has both internal and external
aspects, as obstacles outside the protagonist force the protagonist to
deal with inner issues.
RISING ACTION
A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the
inciting force/incident and ends with the climax.
CRISIS
The conflict reaches a turning point. At this point the opposing forces
in the story meet and the conflict becomes most intense. The crisis
occurs before or at the same time as the climax.
CLIMAX
The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for
the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and
greatest emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be
predicted.
FALLING ACTION
The events after the climax which emphasizing the section of the plot
following the climax, wherein the tension stemming from the story's
central conflict decreases or mellows.
DENOUEMENT
It refers to the final moments of the story — the closing scenes and
sigh of relief after the climax. It is also known as the rounding out and
conclusion of the action in a story.
ENDING
A part of short story which explicitly tells the readers that no other
exposition will unfold.