Short Story Elements

Character Characters are defined by-

What they say What they do How they look

Character cont…

Protagonist-the main character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work.

Antagonist- the opposing force to the protagonist. May/May not be human…

Character cont… Static- a character that DOES NOT change

internally throughout a literary work. Dynamic- a character that DOES change and grown

internally throughout a work.

Character cont… Round- a character whose personality, background,

and motives are fully developed. Flat-a one-dimensional, often bland, character

Plot

1. Exposition- Introduces the story’s characters, setting, and situation.

Setting- the locale or period in which the action of a work takes place:

2. Rising Action- Adds complications or problems to increase reader’s interest; a majority of events take place here.

Plot cont…

3. Climax-The point of the greatest emotional intensity, interest or suspense in a story. It is usually the turning point in a story – where the protagonist and antagonist collide.

Conflict- the two opposing forces (protagonist/antagonist)

Individual vs. __________ Individual vs. __________ Individual vs. __________

Plot cont…

4. Falling Action- The action that immediately follows the climax.

5. Denouement- Presents the final outcome of the story. The “happily ever after” (though not always happy)

Literary Devices Flashback- a scene that

has already taken place that interrupts the current timeline of the plot; gives useful information about characters or events.

Literary Devices Foreshadowing- a

device that gives the reader a hint as to events to come in the work.

Literary Devices Irony- a contradiction

between what was said or done and what the reader expected.

Literary Devices Theme- the author’s

universal message found within a text. A comment about the world, relationships, or life. It is not directly stated, must be inferred.

Literary Devices Dialect-the way a

character speaks based on his/her geographical location.

Literary Devices Mood- the reader’s

response, emotionally, to a work

Tone- the author’s attitude or style in his/her writing.

Point of View1. 1st person- use of 1st person pronouns.2. 2nd person- use of you.3. 3rd person objective -use of 3rd person

pronouns BUT can only tell the reader what is observable.

4. 3rd person limited- use of 3rd person pronouns BUT can get into the thoughts and feelings of a few characters.

5. 3rd person omniscient- use of 3rd person pronouns BUT can get into the thoughts and feelings of ALL characters.