Short Story Elements:
Parts of a Story (Plot Diagram)
Conflict
- The problem and/or who the problem is between. Conflict can be internal or external.
Point Of View
Characters
Setting
- Environment in which a story or event takes place
Theme
- Theme is what the author is trying to convey; the central idea of the story
Parts of a Story (Plot Diagram)
- Exposition - Occurs at the beginning of a short story. The characters, setting and main conflict of the story are introduced.
- Rising Action - This part of the story begins to develop the conflict. A building of interest or suspense occurs.
- Climax - The protagonist faces the conflict and a change occurs. The highest point of interest in the story.
- Falling Action - All loose ends of the plot are tied up.
- Revelation - The story comes to an end.
Conflict
- The problem and/or who the problem is between. Conflict can be internal or external.
- External - A struggle with a force outside one's self.
- Internal - A struggle within one's self; ex. Making a tough decision
Point Of View
- 1st Person Point of View - Told from a character within the story or related to the story. The narrator uses words like I, me and my.
- 3rd Person Point of View - Told from a voice outside the story also known as a narrator.
- 3rd Person Limited Point of View - Told from a "voice" outside the story that can give intimate details of ONE character's feelings and actions. The narrator uses words like he, she and they.
- 3rd Person Omniscient Point of View - Told from a voice outside the story which is an all seeing & all knowing narrator. The narrator uses words like he, she and they.
Characters
- Protagonist - The leading character; the good guy in the story
- Antagonist - A person who actively opposes; is hostile to someone or something; the bad guy in the story
Setting
- Environment in which a story or event takes place
Theme
- Theme is what the author is trying to convey; the central idea of the story
