Elements of a Short Story

Setting

Where and when a story takes place. Setting = Time + Location

Exposition

Background information on the characters and setting that is explained at the beginning of the story.

Rising Action

Events that introduce the central conflict (problem), and lead up to the climax of the story.

The central conflict is also called the inciting incident.

Climax

The point in the story where the conflict and the plot are resolved. The high point of the story!!

Falling Action

The end of the central conflict. The events after the climax that lead up to the resolution.

Resolution

The end of the story. What happened after the conflict is resolved!!

Plot

The way events are ordered in a story. ALL of the action in a story creates the plot!

Conflict

The problem faced by the characters in a story—can be internal or external

Theme

The point/purpose/main idea of the overall story. Why the author wrote it.