Notes from ELA7 presentation of Elements of a Short Story, including plot, character, conflict, theme, setting, and the plot diagram.

1. Mystery­Elements of a Short Story­2013­14­NOTES
December 01, 2013
Mysteries, Uncanny Incidents, and
Unusual Happenings
The Basics of Story
GOAL: To be able to identify &
explain the building blocks of
story: Plot, Character, Conflict,
Theme, and Setting.
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Plot
What is plot?
The sequence of
events
in the story.
1.
2.
3.
Boy meets girl.
Boy asks out girl.
Boy and girl go out on date.
Boy drives girl back home.
5. Girl dumps boy.
4.
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2. Mystery­Elements of a Short Story­2013­14­NOTES
December 01, 2013
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Exposition
Is where the setting and characters are introduced.
Exposition
Elements of a Short Story­ Initial Incident
is the first time the main conflict or problem
presented in the story
Initial
Incident
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3. Mystery­Elements of a Short Story­2013­14­NOTES
December 01, 2013
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Conflict
Is the problem that a
character faces in the plot.
4 Types of Conflict:
1. Character vs. Character
A conflict or problem between two characters in the story
2. Character vs. Nature
A conflict between the character and nature
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Conflict
Is the problem that a
character faces in the plot.
3. Character vs. Society
A conflict between the character and a belief or value that
society holds.
4. Character vs. Self
A conflict that a character has with himself/herself.
It usually involves a choice or decision.
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4. Mystery­Elements of a Short Story­2013­14­NOTES
December 01, 2013
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Rising Action
The building of conflicts or obstacles throughout the story
which eventually lead to the climax.
Rising Action
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Climax
The highest emotional point or action of
the story. It occurs when the conflict is
being resolved and determines what the
outcome will be.
Climax
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5. Mystery­Elements of a Short Story­2013­14­NOTES
December 01, 2013
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Falling Action
The unravelling sequence, which
follows the climax of the story.
Falling Action
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Resolution
Is the resolution/ending of the story
when everything is wrapped up.
Resolution
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6. Mystery­Elements of a Short Story­2013­14­NOTES
December 01, 2013
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Characters
Who is the protagonist?
Who is the protagonist?
The main character,
who is trying to solve
a problem.
Your protagonist can be old, young, girl, boy, dog, or cat.
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Characters
Who is the antagonist?
Who is the antagonist?
Is the person or the
force that opposes
the protagonist.
Your antagonist can be a person, the weather, an animal, or
the supernatural.
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7. Mystery­Elements of a Short Story­2013­14­NOTES
December 01, 2013
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Setting
What is Setting?
What is the setting?
The environment
which in your story
takes place.
Setting has two different parts. It includes WHEN and WHERE.
season
city
building
time of day
point in life
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Theme
What is the theme?
What is the theme?
The idea or
message of the
story.
Theme is difficult for people to get!
• Often­used themes:
courage
despair
love
pursuit of happiness
war
survival
family
relationships
racism
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8. Mystery­Elements of a Short Story­2013­14­NOTES
December 01, 2013
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Mood
What is mood?
It is the overall feeling
created by the author
through the word choice,
repetition of words,
phrases, and sentences.
Mood is what makes you nervous in
the theatre, makes you laugh at the
party, or makes you cry when the
protagonist dies.
Elements of a Short Story ­­ Point of View
First Person:
Third Person:
One of the characters Narrator tells the story
`
tells the story. ("I" is from an outside
perspective. ("he/she/
used)
they" is used)
Point of view is the perspective from which the story is
told.
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