short story elements setting characters plot climax theme resolution

Short Story ElementsSettingCharactersPlot ClimaxThemeResolution

SettingEvery short story has a background or setting

such asPlace

Where the events occurTime

When the events occurSensory details

Clothing, dialect, modes of transportation, etc.

The Functions of a SettingTo create a mood

or atmosphereTo show a reader

a different way of life

To make action seem more real

To be the source of conflict or struggle

To symbolize an idea

We left the home place behind, mile by slow mile, heading for the mountains, across the prairie where the wind blew forever.

At first there were four of us with one horse wagon and its skimpy load. Pa and I walked, because I was a big boy of eleven. My two little sisters romped and trotted until they got tired and had to be boosted up to the wagon bed.

That was no covered Conestoga, like Pa’s folks came West in, but just an old farm wagon, drawn by one weary horse, creaking and rumbling westward to the mountains, toward the little woods town where Pa thought he had an old uncle who owned a little two-bit sawmill.

Taken from “The Day the Sun Came Out” by D. Johnson

Types of CharactersPeople or animalsMajor charactersMinor charactersProtagonistAntagonist

ProtagonistThe “good guy” or hero/heroin in the story

who struggles against the conflict Usually the main character

AntagonistThe “bad guy” or villain in the story that

creates conflict for the protagonist.

Six Ways to Reveal CharacterTelling the audience directlyThoughtshots – revealing the character’s

thoughts or feelingsDialogue – character’s words when he/she

speaksThe character’s actionsDescriptions of how the character looksWhat other characters think of or say about

the character

Factors in Analyzing CharactersPhysical appearance of characterPersonalityBackground/personal historyMotivationRelationshipsConflictDoes character change?

PlotA series of events that make a story. A plot is

built around a conflict. Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story.

Man vs. Man An external struggle

Man vs. Self An internal struggle

Man vs. Society/Government An external struggle between a larger group: community,

society, culture, etc. Man vs. Nature

An external struggle between man and an element of nature

Plot DevelopmentMost plots develop in 5 basic stages

1. Exposition/Introduction Introduces the main characters and gives the

purpose or problem of the story: setting is revealed2. Rising Action

Happens as the plot “thickens” and the main conflict is revealed; mini-conflict s may add to the build-up of tension

Plot Development3. Climax

the highest point of interest; the turning point; the outcome of the conflict is revealed

4. Falling actionThe suspense goes away; may be very brief

5. Conclusion/Resolution Loose ends are tied up, story ends

Special Techniques of Special Techniques of PlotPlotForeshadowing- is a hint or clue about what

will happen in storyFlashback- interrupts the normal sequence

of events to tell about something that happened in the past

Suspense -is a feeling of excitement, curiosity, or

expectation about what will happen. Surprise Ending- conclusion that reader

does not expect

ThemeThe main message the author wants his/her

audience to take awayNot all stories have a theme

For example, the purpose of a horror story may be simply to scare the reader

Stated: writer states the theme of the storyImplied: theme is not stated

Theme ExamplesGood will triumph over evilHonesty is the best policySlow and steady wins the raceBelieve in yourselfPeople are afraid of changeDon’t judge a book by its cover

Point of ViewA writer tells his/her story from three points of

viewFirst Person

The author becomes the characterThird Person Limited

Author limits what he tells the reader to what a single character could observe or know (one character who can see only a part of the whole story)

Third Person Omniscient When a story is told from the viewpoint of someone who

can be in several places at the same time and can see into the hearts and minds of two or more characters.

Short story termsAtmosphere/Mood

This is the mood or spirit of the story.The mood of a story is the feeling created by

the writer and expressed through the setting.

ToneThe sound of the narrator’s voice; expresses

the writers attitude toward the story; it can range from playful or humorous to serious or tragic.

Two more short story termsSymbol

This is an image or object that also sands for something larger than itself. (For example, a flag is a symbol for the country it

represents.)

StyleThe unique flair with which the writer uses

language and words to create effect Like a person who wears a certain style of clothes

One more short story termIrony-is an implied discrepancy between what is

said and what is meant. The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; a statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea.

Three kinds of irony:1. verbal irony is when an author says one thing and

means something else.2. dramatic irony is when an audience perceives

something that a character in the literature does not know.

3. irony of situation is a discrepancy between the expected result and actual results.

Figurative and Literal LanguageLiterally: words function exactly as defined

The car is blue.He caught the football.

Figuratively: figure out what it means

I’ve got your back.

You’re a doll.

SimileComparison of two things using “like” or “as.”

Examples

The metal twisted like a ribbon.

She is as sweet as candy.

Important!Using “like” or “as” doesn’t make a simile.

A comparison must be made.

Not a Simile: I like pizza.

Simile: The moon is like a pizza.

MetaphorTwo things are compared without using “like”

or “as.”

Examples

Her lovely voice was music to his ears. 

The alligator’s teeth are white daggers.

Her heart is stone.

Tom’s eyes were ice.

The snow is a white blanket. 

PersonificationGiving human traits to objects or ideas.

Examples

The sunlight danced.

Water on the lake shivers.

The streets are calling me.

HyperboleExaggerating to show strong feeling or effect.

Examples

I will love you forever.

My house is a million miles away.

She’d kill me.

OnomatopoeiaA word that “makes” a soundSPLATPINGSLAMPOPPOW

IdiomA saying that isn’t meant to be taken literally.

Doesn’t “mean” what it says

Don’t be a stick in the mud!You’re the apple of my eye.I have an ace up my sleeve.

Repetition

Repeating a word or words for effect.

ExampleNobodyNo, nobodyCan make it out here alone.Alone, all aloneNobody, but nobodyCan make it out here alone.