Short Story ElementsShort Story Elements

SIX major elementsSIX major elements

SettingSetting ConflictConflict Point of ViewPoint of View PlotPlot CharacterCharacter ThemeTheme

SettingSetting

The time and location in The time and location in which a story takes placewhich a story takes place

For some stories For some stories – the setting is very the setting is very

important important – for others it is notfor others it is not

Several aspects to Several aspects to consider how setting consider how setting contributes to a storycontributes to a story– (some, or all, may be (some, or all, may be

present in a story): present in a story):

PlacePlace TimeTime Weather conditionsWeather conditions Social conditionsSocial conditions Mood or Mood or

atmosphereatmosphere

PlotPlot

How the author arranges events to How the author arranges events to develop his basic ideadevelop his basic idea– The sequence of events in a story or The sequence of events in a story or

play  play  – A planned, logical series of events A planned, logical series of events

having a beginning, middle, and endhaving a beginning, middle, and end– Short stories usually have one plot so it Short stories usually have one plot so it

can be read in one sittingcan be read in one sitting– There are five essential parts of plotThere are five essential parts of plot

ConflictConflict Essential to the plot Essential to the plot  Without conflict there is no plotWithout conflict there is no plot It is the opposition of forcesIt is the opposition of forces

– ties one incident to anotherties one incident to another– makes the plot movemakes the plot move

Is not merely limited to open argumentsIs not merely limited to open arguments– It is any form of opposition that faces the main It is any form of opposition that faces the main

charactercharacter– Within a short storyWithin a short story

there may be only one central strugglethere may be only one central struggle there may be one dominant struggle with many minor there may be one dominant struggle with many minor

ones. ones.

Types of ConflictTypes of Conflict There are two types of conflictThere are two types of conflict: :

1)  External - A struggle with a force 1)  External - A struggle with a force outside one's self. outside one's self.

2)  Internal - A struggle within one's self; a 2)  Internal - A struggle within one's self; a person must make some decision, person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.an urge, etc.

Kinds of ConflictKinds of Conflict There are four There are four kindskinds of conflict of conflict: :

Man vs. ManMan vs. Man (physical) (physical)– leading character struggles withleading character struggles with

his physical strength against other menhis physical strength against other men forces of natureforces of nature animals. animals.

2)  2)  Man vs. CircumstancesMan vs. Circumstances (classical) (classical)– leading character struggles leading character struggles

against fateagainst fate circumstances of life facing him/her. circumstances of life facing him/her.

3)  3)  Man vs. SocietyMan vs. Society (social) (social) – leading character struggles againstleading character struggles against

ideas, ideas, practices, or practices, or customs of other people. customs of other people.

4)  4)  Man vs. Himself/HerselfMan vs. Himself/Herself (psychological) –(psychological) –– leading character struggles with himself/herselfleading character struggles with himself/herself

with his/her own soulwith his/her own soul ideas of right or wrongideas of right or wrong physical limitationsphysical limitations choices, etc. choices, etc.

CharacterCharacter The Characteristics of a Person –The Characteristics of a Person –

– In order for a story to seem real to the In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem realreader its characters must seem real

– Characterization is the information the Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the author gives the reader about the characters characters

– The author may reveal a character in The author may reveal a character in several ways:several ways: his/her physical appearancehis/her physical appearance what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreamswhat he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams what he/she does or does not dowhat he/she does or does not do what others say about him/herwhat others say about him/her how others react to him/her how others react to him/her

Characters are convincing if they Characters are convincing if they are:are:– consistent, motivated, and life-like consistent, motivated, and life-like

(resemble real people) (resemble real people)

ThemeTheme

is the controlling idea or central insightis the controlling idea or central insight is the author's underlying meaning or main is the author's underlying meaning or main

idea that he is trying to conveyidea that he is trying to convey may be the author's thoughts about a topic may be the author's thoughts about a topic

or view of human natureor view of human nature

Examples of ThemeExamples of Theme

Some simple examples of common Some simple examples of common themes from literature, TV, and filmthemes from literature, TV, and film– things are not always as they appear to things are not always as they appear to

bebe– Love is blindLove is blind– Believe in yourselfBelieve in yourself– People are afraid of changePeople are afraid of change– Don't judge a book by its cover Don't judge a book by its cover