ELEMENTS OF A SHORT STORY

A short story is

The major elements of a short story are

Plot is the series of incidents that produce a dramatic story with a beginning, a middle, and
an end.

Conflict is the force that moves the plot along and the struggles in which the characters are
involved.
There are four main types of conflict:
 Conflict within a character (e.g. between lying and telling the truth)
 Conflict between two characters
 Conflict between a character and society (e.g. neighbours, an institution, a
corporation)
 Conflict between a character and nature (rough seas, a snowstorm, a treacherous
mountain)
Two other types of conflict are “character vs. ___________________________” and
“character vs. ____________________________”.

Some of the major elements of plot are:

Exposition - the background information provided by the author at the beginning
of the story; includes characters and setting
Rising Action- complications, obstacles and crises experienced by the main
character creating conflict and suspense; is propelled by an “inciting
force” or “conflict”
Climax – the most suspenseful moment or the height of the action; it usually
occurs at the point where the conflict is resolved; outcome is inevitable
from this point on
Falling Action - the events of a dramatic or narrative plot following the climax.
Denouement – the unknotting of the plot or conflict following a climax; the author
ties up the loose ends of the story
*Note: Some stories end with the climax.

The Laws of Plot: basic principles practised by the best writers over the ages:
a) Plausibility: a story is convincing on its own terms and is true to itself (does
not have to be realistic, but is still somehow believable)
b) Surprise: a story would be dull without it; this can be a “twist ending” or a
secret revelation about a character, for example.
c) Suspense: the reader experiences an expectant uncertainty as to the outcome of
the plot. It develops as we become aware of the developing instability in the
situation.
Characters: fictional people created by the author. They are believable (behaving
consistently and with reasons for their actions) but also complex enough to surprise readers.

Protagonist: the main character.

Antagonist: the character who struggles or fights against the protagonist.

Setting: the time and place of a story.

Atmosphere or mood is the overall emotional impression or prevailing feeling that is

created in a story.

Theme refers to the central idea about life that emerges from a piece of literature. Usually it
is not stated directly; you must infer it from your close reading.

Point of View is the viewpoint from which the author/narrator tells the story. The two most
common points of view are:
1. Third-person point of view, of which there are two kinds:
a) Omniscient point of view – allows the author to describe
any character from the outside and the inside
b) Limited omniscient point of view – allows the author to tell the story
from the point of view of one character but without the use of “I”
(the most common way of telling a story)
2. First-person point of view – the story is told by the main
character, “I”.

*Note: Second-person point of view is rarely used in stories, but you can often find
examples of it in advertising. The “author” is talking directly to “you” (e.g. “Do you want to
save a fortune on car insurance?”)

Other Definitions:

Foreshadowing:

Irony (three kinds):

1.

2.

3.

Symbolism: