elements of a short story

• Character


  A person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part in the action in a literary work
• Characters in a short story

  • Protagonist
  • Antagonist
• Protagonist


  The main character, hero, or even antihero of the story
• Antagonist


  The villain or opposing force in the story
• The protagonist is always in conflict with the antagonist of the story
• Conflict


  A struggle between opposing forces. Characters must act to confront those forces and there is where conflict is born
• If there is nothing to overcome, there is no story. Conflict in a story creates and drives the plot forward
• Theme


  The underlying meaning of a story. It is the message the writer is trying to convey through the story
• The theme of a story is important because it is part of the reason why the author wrote the story
• Plot


  The logical order in which events happen in the story. It's important to set the scene, introduce the inciting incident and obstacles, then show the resolution
• Elements of plot

  • Exposition
  • Rising Action
  • Climax
  • Falling Action
  • Conclusion
• Exposition


  The introduction to a story, including the primary characters' names, setting, mood, and time
• Rising Action


  All the events that happen in a story on the way to the climax. The ____ pushes the plot along, building tension to keep us invested in the story as it moves forward
• Climax


  When the conflict of the plot is resolved. It is often the most exciting part of the story
• Falling Action


  Occurs after the turning point of the climax and signifies that the story's main conflict is coming to a close. Ideally, it resolves any loose ends in the plot and shows the aftermath of the climax
• Conclusion


  The end of the story or solution to the problem. The readers should be reminded of the main idea and feel that the story has come a full circle with an ending
• Setting


  The time and place in which the story happens. Authors often use descriptions of landscape, scenery, buildings, seasons or weather to provide a strong sense of setting
• Types of setting in a short story

  • Time
  • Place
  • Environment (both physical and social)