Short Story ElementsLanguage Arts 9

Plot

• The storyline

Conflict

• CONFLICT is the struggle between opposing forces.

good vs. bad

light vs. dark

hero vs. villain

coke vs. pepsi

Types of Conflict:

• Internal:• Human vs. him/herself struggle occurs within the mind

• External: struggle against outside force• Human vs. human conflict between characters (old man vs. cat)• Human vs. nature struggle against nature (ex: time, weather, distance)• Human vs. supernatural struggle against supernatural forces (ex: ghosts, magic,

etc.)

*HUMAN is a fluid word here. It could mean non-human characters as well, depending on the story.

Characters: Protagonist

• Protagonist: the main character; the hero

Characters: Antagonist

• Antagonist: opposes (is against) the protagonist; the villain

Characters: Round

• Round characters have a complex personality.

Characters: Flat

• Flat characters have one kind of personality trait/characteristic

Characters: Dynamic

• Dynamic characters change over time.

• These characters learn, grow, and adapt.

Characters: Static

• Static characters do not change over time.

• These characters’ personalities mostly stay the same.

Characters: Stock

• Stock characters are stereotypes.

• Ex:• Mad scientist• Faithful sidekick• Evil stepmother• Grouchy old neighbor• Blond cheerleader

Setting

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

• Settings can change throughout the plot of a story, and often, each unique setting has its own mood and tone.

• Ex: Place Time Mood/other factors

Egypt 2000 BCE Serious; difficult living conditions; little technology

Texas 1962 Tense; race relations

“Anytown” USA Current day, midnight, stormy

Dark tone; something “bad” might happen

High school cafeteria

lunch Upbeat; lots of noise; friendly; possible bullying

Setting: Mood, Tone, and Place

• Mood: Atmosphere created by author; evokes certain emotions• Ex: Hero riding off into the sunset with “the girl” – satisfaction, completion,

ease, calmness, positivity

• Tone: Writer’s attitude about subject or audience• Ex: Villains appear in black leather and have sharp features – the author wants

to use the symbolism of the darkness of clothing to represent personality (sharp features = severity)

• Place: Where and when the story takes place• Sets the stage for the rest of the plot. Can be considered a major part of the

plot.• Ex: How would “Family Guy” be different if they all had southern accents and

lived in the 80’s?

Theme

• The big idea or lesson in a story

• Ask yourself, “What is the story ABOUT?”

• Ask yourself, “What is the LESSON of the story?”

• Ask yourself, “Is there a MORAL to the story?

• Ex: love, friendship, death, growing up, war, crime, etc.

Finding Theme

• There are no RULES for finding the theme of a litereary work. But there are some general tips for finding “meaning in the mess”

Theme