1. Elements of a Short Story
Terms

2. Plot
• A series of related
events that present
and resolve a conflict

3. Plot Diagram

4. Exposition
• The part of the
story, usually near the
beginning, in which
– the characters are
introduced,
– the background is
explained, and
– The setting is described.

5. Rising Action
• The central part
of a story during
which various
problems arise
after a conflict is
introduced.

6. Climax, Falling Action and
Resolution
• Climax
– The most exciting point
in the story, when the
conflict is decided
• Falling Action
•Resolution
– The action and
- The conflict is resolved
dialogue following
(positively or negatively)
the climax that lead
and the story is brought to
a close
the reader into the
- Also known as
story’s end.
“Denouement”

7. Setting
• The time and place in
which the action of a
narrative occurs

8. Conflict
• The Primary struggle
between the main
character or
characters and an
adverse
character, group or
force
• Internal Conflict
– A struggle between a
character and
him/herself
• External Conflict
– A struggle between a
character and an
outside force.
•
•
•
•
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Supernatural
Man vs. Society

9. Complications
• Small problems in
addition to the
conflict that add
interest to the story

10. Suspense
• The uncertainty or anxiety that a reader
feels about what will happen in a story
–
–
–
–
Foreshadowing
Dilemma
Mystery
Reversal

11. Foreshadowing
• Clues (real or false)
that hint at a story’s
outcome

12. Dilemma
• A character that we
care about is in peril
or must choose
between two
dangerous courses of
action

13. Mystery
• The creation of
suspense by
withholding
information or by
presenting unusual
circumstances

14. Reversal
• A sudden change in a
character’s situation
from good to bad or
vice versa

15. Point of View
• The relationship
between the narrator
of a story and the
characters in it
• Narrator is NOT the
same as author
• Types of POV:
– First Person
– Third
Person, Omniscient
– Third Person, Limited
Omniscient
– Third
Person, Objective

16. P.O.V. continued
• First Person
– The narrator offers a
personal account of their
own experiences or
describes what happens to
other characters as the
narrator sees it
• Third Person
– The narrator stands outside
the action (nonparticipatory) and presents
• Omniscient
– (all-knowing) point of
view
– Can see the thoughts &
emotions of all (or
numerous) characters
• Limited Omniscient
– focuses on one character’s
thoughts and viewpoints
• Objective
– Describes only what can be
seen
– “Reporter style”

17. Main characters
• Protagonist
– MAIN CHARACTER of the
story
– Often, hero or character the
audience is supposed to feel most
sympathetic for
• Not always…for example, the
main character could be a serial
killer.
• Antagonist
– primary adversary of the
protagonist
– Sometimes the villain

18. Types of Characters
• Flat Character
– shows only one trait
• Round Character
– Shows many different traits, good and bad
• Static Character
– character does not change through the course of the
story
• Dynamic Character
– character develops and grows during the course of the
story

19. Characterization
• The technique used by a writer to
create and reveal the
personalities of the characters in
a written work. This may be
done by:
• Direct Characterization
– The author directly states aspects of
the character’s personality
• i.e. He was a grumpy and unfriendly old
man, known for his hatred of young
children and puppies.
• Indirect Characterization
– More common method for most
characters, especially major characters
– We must infer personality traits from
the story

20. Indirect Characterization
• Indirect Characterization
may be accomplished by
– describing the character’s
physical appearance and
situation,
– revealing a characters
thoughts,
– The character’s words or
actions,
– showing the reaction of
other characters.

21. Theme
• The underlying meaning
of a literary work.
• This differs from the
subject in that it involves
a statement of opinion
about that subject.
• The theme may be stated
or implied.
• Not every literary work
has a theme, and some
have more than one

22. Irony
• Irony: differences in appearance and reality, or
expectations and results, or meaning and
intention
– Dramatic Irony:
• a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the
reader or audience knows to be true
– Situational Irony:
• an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of
the characters, readers, or audience
– Verbal Irony:
• words are used to suggest the opposite of what is meant (i.e.
sarcasm, double-entendre, etc.)