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Elements of Short Story Handout

I.

Plot Series of related events that make


up a story.
A. Exposition beginning of story
reader learns information.
B. Rising action excitement begins
(complications mini-conflicts that
contribute to the rise in action)
C. Conflict struggle between
opposing forces

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

man v. man
man v himself
man v. nature
man v. supernatural
man v. society
D. Climax Turning point of the story;
emotional high point. (For the
character, not the reader)

E. Falling action events that lead to


resolution
F.Resolution outcome of the conflict
Climax

Rising Action
Exposition

Falling action
Resolution

II. Setting Where and when the story


takes place
i. Sensory description words that appeal to
the senses
(sight/hearing/touch/taste/
Smell)
III. Theme Idea behind the story
IV. Characterization people in the story
(setting can be a character)
Character can be shown:
i. Directly author tells us about character
ii. Indirectly author shows us the character

iii. Flat character character is one


dimensional
iv. Round character character has many
sides
v. Dynamic character changes somehow
vi. Static character stays the same.
V. Foreshadowing hints as to what may
or may not happen in the story.
VI. Suspense Hints that foreshadow
coming events that are intended to make
us curious, increase our anxiety, and
lead us through the story.
VII.
Protagonist main person in the
story (Batman)
VIII. Antagonist the opposition of the
main person of the story (Joker)
XI. Point of View narrators view of the
story
i. Objective view point
ii. Third person view point
iii. First person view point
iv. Omniscient
v. Limited omniscient

XII. Symbolism A symbol that is used to


represent something else gives a story
deeper meaning.

Elements of Short Story Handout

IX.

Plot .

A.

Exposition-________________ reader learns


information.

B.

Rising action
(complications mini-conflicts that contribute to the rise in action)

C.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Conflict struggle between opposing forces

man v.
man v
man v.
man v.
man v.

D.

Climax
. (For the character, not the reader)

E. Falling action events that lead to resolution


F. Resolution

Climax

Rising Action

Falling action

Exposition

X.
i.

Resolution

Setting

Sensory description words that appeal to the senses


(sight/hearing/touch/taste/
Smell)

XI.

Theme Idea behind the story

XII.

Characterization

(setting can be a character)


Character can be shown:

i.
ii.

author tells us about character


Indirectly

iii. Flat character character is one dimensional


iv. Round character character has many sides
v.
character changes somehow
vi.
character stays the same.
XIII.
hints as to what may or may not happen in
the story.

XIV.

Suspense Hints that foreshadow coming

XV.Protagonist
XVI.

Antagonist
(Joker)

of the main person of the story

XIII. Point of View narrators view of the story


i. Objective view point
iv.
v.

Omniscient
Limited omniscient

XIV.

A symbol that is used to represent something


else gives a story deeper meaning.

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