5 Important Elements of a Short Story

• The 5 key elements that make up a short story are:

Characters
Setting
Conflict
Theme
Plot
Characters

A character is a person, or sometimes an animal, who takes part in the action of a

short story or other literary works.
Characters and how we get to know them:
• Through the author’s physical description of them
• Through their actions
• Through their words (dialogue)
• Through their inner thoughts
• Through what other characters say and think about them

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Protagonist

• Usually the “good guy” or hero in the story

• The main character that we follow
• The character that strives to solve the conflict
Antagonist

• The “bad guy” or villain in the story

• Usually creates conflict for the main character
Secondary Characters

• Other characters who are necessary to moving the plot along, but may not be
involved with the central conflict
Dynamic vs. Static Characters

Dynamic Characters:
A dynamic character is a character who undergoes significant internal change throughout the course of a story. The
development of a dynamic character is often subtle and unstated and is not due to a change in the character’s
circumstances. A dynamic character is one who learns a lesson or changes as a person (either for better or for worse).

Static Characters:
A static character is a type of character who remains largely the same throughout the course of storyline. Their
environment may change, but they retain the same personality and outlook as they had at the beginning of the story. It’s
common for secondary characters in stories to be static.
Round vs. Flat Characters

Round characters:
Many sided and complex personalities that you would expect of actual human beings. A round character is complex
in temperament and motivation and is represented with subtle particularity: such a character therefore is as difficult
to describe with any adequacy as a person in real life, and like real persons, is capable of surprising us.

Flat Characters:
Personalities that are presented only briefly and not in depth. A flat character (also called a type or two-dimensional),
is built around a single idea or quality and is presented without much individualizing detail, and can be described
adequately in a single phrase or sentence.
Setting

• The setting of a story is the context in a scene or story that

describes the elements in which a story is taking place,
including time, place, and environment.

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Conflict

 Conflict is any of the problems that a character encounters in a story.

 The conflict is a struggle between two people or things in a short story.
 The main character is on one side of the main conflict.
• Conflicts can be:
1. External – conflict with others and with nature
2. Internal – conflict within themselves
• The main character may struggle:
against another important character
against the forces of nature
against society
against something inside himself or herself (feelings, emotions, illness).

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Theme

• Theme is the meaning behind events and characters’ actions in a story.

• The theme is the central idea, message, or purpose in a short story.
• A theme can be expressed as a general statement about people or life.
• It is NOT plot summary.
• It can be either directly or indirectly stated by the author. Most likely indirectly.

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Plot

• Plot is a pattern of events that develop from the interactions between characters.
• A plot is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central conflict.
• There are 5 elements of plot:
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Conclusion

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 Plot Diagram
5 Elements of Plot

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Exposition

• The start or introduction of the story.

• The background information that the reader must have in order to understand the
story.
• This is where characters and setting are introduced.

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Rising Action

• All of the events that take place leading up to the climax.

• This is where the reader is introduced to the conflict.

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Climax

• The most exciting part of the story.

• The turning point in the story.
• Here the story is turned in a different direction, toward the conclusion.

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Falling Action

• The immediate reaction to the climax.

• All the actions that occur after the climax and before the conclusion of the story.

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Resolution

• The conclusion of the plot.

• Loose ends are tied up.
• There might not be a clear resolution. This is called a cliffhanger ending.

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What is Tone?

Tone is the author’s attitude towards the audience, the subject, or the character.

You can recognize the tone/attitude by the language/word choices the author uses. His
language will reveal his perspective/opinion (that is, whether it is positive or negative)
about the subject.

The author’s attitude toward the story and readers.

What is Mood?

The effect of the writer’s words on the reader.

How the writer’s words make us feel.

Thanks for your attention