Elements of a Short Story

Background Notes

What is Fiction?

• Fiction refers to any works of prose that have imaginary elements.

• Although fiction can be inspired by actual events and people, it is usually the work of a writers imagination.

• There are two main types of fiction: novels and short stories.

• A novel is a long, complex work that can contain many characters, themes, and ideas.

• A short story is much shorter than a novel, and can usually be read in one sitting.

• Both novels and short stories are made up of four basic elements: plot, character, setting, and theme.

The Elements of a Short Story

• The sequence of events in a story is called the plot. Short stories usually have only one plot so they can be read in one sitting.

• The plot of a story includes four stages: exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action, or resolution.

• It is often helpful to diagram the plot like a pyramid.

Plot Diagram

Elements of a Short Story

• Plots are almost always built around conflicts, or struggles between opposing forces. There are two main types:– Internal conflict, which is a struggle a character

has within him/herself. This could be when a character has to overcome some pain or obstacle.

– External Conflict, which is a struggle a character has with some outside force. It can be a struggle with another person, with his/her environment, or with society and laws.

Elements of a Short Story

• The people, animals, and other creatures in a story are the characters.

• There are several different classifications of characters, such as main and minor and static and dynamic.

• Writers show a character’s traits through three main methods of characterization:

Methods of Characterization

• By a character’s own thoughts and actions

• By other character’s thoughts about and actions towards a character

• By describing a character using carefully chosen details.

Elements of a Short Story

• The setting of a story is where and when it takes place.

• A story’s setting could take place in a real or imaginary setting, in the past, present or future.

• Writers use vivid descriptions of the setting to paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

• Setting can play an important role in what happens to a character and how they respond to problems.

Elements of a Short Story

• The theme of a story is the message or lesson the writer conveys to the reader.

• The theme for a story might be “Never give upon your dreams”, or “honesty is always the best policy”.

• Most themes are not directly stated in a story. A story’s theme can be revealed by:– The story’s title– Key phrases and statements about big ideas– The ways characters change and the lessons they

learn about life.