Elements of a Short Story
Definition of a Short Story
Tells about a single event or experience
Fictional (not true)
500 to 29,999 words in length
It has a beginning, middle, and end
Includes all of the parts of plot: introduction, conflict, rising action (complications), climax and resolution
Elements of a Short Story
Setting
Characterization
Plot
Conflict
Climax
Resolution
Theme
Point of view
Short Story Vocabulary
Protagonist:
-the hero (the character we follow, the “main character”)
-leader of a cause
-usually the good guy, but not always
-EXAMPLE: Batman, Scarlet O’Hara
Examples of Protagonists
Short Story Vocabulary
Antagonist:
-the opposing force
-usually the “bad guy,” but not always
-Joker, Melanie Wilks
Examples of the protagonist
Protagonist and Antagonist Quiz
Film Protagonist Antagonist
Cinderella Cinderella
Lion King Scar
The Little
Mermaid
Ariel
Jack and the
Beanstalk
Giant
Protagonist and Antagonist Quiz
Film Protagonist Antagonist
Cinderella Cinderella Stepmother
Lion King Simba Scar
The Little
Mermaid
Ariel Ursula
Jack and the
Beanstalk
Jack Giant
Short Story Vocabulary
Characterization: is how we learn about a character
We learn about them through:
-How they look-How they act/what
they do-What they say-How other characters
respond to them and feel about them
Short Story Vocabulary
Direct Characterization- when the narrator tells you
directly about a character- Molly is a brat.
Indirect Characterization- shows you a character’s traits
through their actions or dialogue- Molly came into the
kitchen and slammed down her backpack and said, “I
don’t care what you say. YOU are NOT the boss of ME
Mrs. Meany Pants!”
SHOW don’t TELL- it is much more fun!!!
Short Story Vocabulary
Setting:Tells the reader where and when the story takes place. You need to identify the people, places, times and objects involved. Use sensory details and figurative language to create a vivid picture with your words.
The time and place of the story
is the setting
Short Story Vocabulary
Plot: A series of events through which the writer reveals what is happening, to whom, and why.
Parts of Plot: introduction, conflict, rising action (complications), climax and resolution
Short Story Vocabulary
Conflict: Is the problem in the story that needs to be resolved. In a short story this will not be too complex.
Great stories have an intriguing
conflict
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society
Man vs. HimselfMan vs. Machine
Short Story Vocabulary
Climax: When the action comes to its highest point of conflict and usually when the story can go either way
The climax is the most exciting
part!!
Short Story Vocabulary
Resolution: The story’s action after the climax until the end of the story. The “conclusion” of the story.
Short Story Vocabulary
Theme: The “message” the writer intends to communicate by telling the story
Short Story Vocabulary
Point of view: The position of the narrator of the story and what the writer sees from that vantage pointChoose: 1st Person, 3rd Person Limited or 3rd Person Omniscient
The point of view is the
perspective of the story
“That rotten wolf
tried to eat us!!!!”
“I was framed! I
just wanted to
borrow a cup of
sugar!”
How To Use Quotation Marks:1.Quotation marks enclose the words used by a
speaker or writer.
2.Periods and commas go inside the closing
quotation mark.
3.A comma is used to set off a quote from the
rest of the sentence.
Example: “Come here,” said Marie. (comma
inside)
Example: Marie said, “Come here.” (comma used
to set off direct quote, period inside)
Example: “Come here,” said Marie, “I am waiting
for you.”
4.Question marks and exclamation points go inside the
closing quotation marks when they apply to the quoted
words.
Example: “Won’t you come over?” asked Marie. (question
mark inside)
Example: Did you hear me ask, “Won’t you come over”?
Example: “Come over here now!” Marie exclaimed.
(exclamation point inside)
5.You must indent when someone new begins to speak
Example:
Fausto looked at the bill and knew he was in trouble.
Not with these nice folks or with his parents, but with
himself. How could he have been so deceitful? The dog
wasn’t lost. It was just having a fun Saturday walking
around.
“I can’t take that.”
“You have to. You deserve it, believe me,” the man
said.
“No, I don’t.”
“Now don’t be silly,” said the lady. She took the bill
from her husband and stuffed it into Fausto’s shirt pocket.
“You’re a lovely child. Your parents are lucky to have you.
Be good and come see us again, please.”
Let’s Practice:
What happened to you asked Melissa
I slipped and sprained my ankle
responded Nina
Melissa asked how did you sprain your
ankle
Let’s Practice:
“What happened to you?” asked Melissa.
“I slipped and sprained my ankle,”
responded Nina.
Melissa asked, “How did you sprain
your ankle?”
Let’s Practice:
It was my new spiked-heel shoes said
Nina
I warned you about those things said
Melissa
But, they look so cute on me Nina
exclaimed
Let’s Practice:
“It was my new spiked-heel shoes,” said
Nina.
“I warned you about those things,” said
Melissa.
“But, they look so cute on me!” Nina
exclaimed.
Let’s Practice:
Mom he said I want a guitar for
Christmas
Did you hear me ask what is for dinner
Let’s Practice:
“Mom,” he said, “ I want a guitar for
Christmas.”
Did you hear me ask, “What is for
dinner”?
Whether you’re the reader, or the
writer, a great story includes all
these literary elements!!!
conflict
setting
point of view
climaxcharacters
protagonist
antagonist
foreshadowing
Great writers are able to use the elements of the short story with such precision that the reader is caught up in the action of the story. This is a mark of a good story and our goal as a writer.
Your assignment:
-Write a story based on one of the stories you
were told during your interview.
-Use all of the literary elements we have
discussed.
-It should be at least 500 words in length (250
words for students with shortened assignments).
-It needs to have at least 5 lines of dialogue that
are properly formatted with quotation marks and
new paragraphs.
-It should use descriptions using at least 4 of the
5 senses.
-It should be submitted on utahcompose.com.
-Use the plot diagram graphic organizer
provided in class.