Elements of

Short Story
and a Play
 1. First Person Point of View
In stories told from the first-person point of
view, the narrator is a character in the story.
 2. Third-Person Omniscient
The narrator knows everything that
happens, including what all the characters
think and feel.
 3. Third-person limited
The narrator tells only what one character
sees, thinks feels. Note that aside from the
story elements discussed, a play has the
following characteristics:
 a. Dialogue
In most plays, the entire story is told through dialog or
conversations among the characters. The reader or
audience learns what from what characters say to each
other. In written script for a play, the words said by a
character are printed after the character’s name. No
quotation marks are used.
 b. Stage Directions
Stage directions are notes included in plays to help
readers or stage characters to picture the action. These
note describe setting, lighting, sound effects, the
movements of characters, and the way in which the
dialogue to be said. In most plays, the stage directions
are printed in italics inside parentheses.
 c. Acts and Scenes
An act is a unit of action in a play. A long play may
have more than one act. An act may include several
scenes. A scene is a unit of action that takes place in
single time and place.
 Activity: Script Writing
1. You ask a permission to your parents to join a particular school organization in your
school.
2. You discuss your obligations as the leader of the group.
3. You tell your little brother or sister the things that he or she should not do.
4. You opened up a secret with your mom.
5. Two strangers are stuck in an elevator. One is calm, and the other believes the walls
are closing in.
6. A couple is breaking up, the other one wants it and the other doesn’t.
7. You are excited to attend your best friend's birthday party but your parents didn’t
allow you to go.

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More in
Interpreting
Symbols
Symbols
are any of the myriad possible
meanings to an idea presented.

The interpretation of symbols varies

according to the identification that the
authors give them and to the
experiences of the reader.
Study the following poem,
then tell what the two
divergent roads symbolize.
 Analyzing and Interpreting Information
1. Know the speaker’s topic.
2. Work on your background knowledge before listening
to the material.
3. Determine the purpose of the speaker. This will guide
you in constructing meaning out of what you listened
to.
4. Tuned out distractions. Give your complete attention to
the speaker and to the listening task at hand.
5. Take down notes. List down salient points
6. Make meaning as you listen. Strive to make connections
about the information you receive.
7. After listening, review your notes.
8. Clarify points that are unclear to you.