Characters:
The people or animals who take
part in a story’s action.
Example: In the story “Little Red
Riding Hood”, the wolf is a
character.
Characterization:
The way a writer reveals a
character’s personality and
qualities.
Example: In “Little Red Riding
Hood”, Red describes the wolf
by saying he has big teeth.
Types of Characterization
 Direct Characterization: the writer
describes the character.
Example: In “Little Red Riding
Hood”, the author says, “Once upon a
time there was a dear little girl who
was loved by everyone who looked at
her…” The author is giving us
information about Little Red Riding
Hood in this sentence.
Indirect Characterization
 The writer reveals the character
through speech and actions.
Example: In “Little Red Riding
Hood,” the wolf is crafty when he
distracts Red from going to her
Grandma’s house: “See, Little Red Riding
Hood, how pretty the flowers are about
here - why do you not look round?”
Theme
The central message expressed
in a story.
What do you think the theme
of “Little Red Riding Hood”
is?
Universal Theme
A message about life that is
expressed in different cultures and
time periods.
Examples: Hard work always
pays off in the end.
Youth can often see
what adults cannot.
Plot
 The sequence of events in a short story.
It is usually divided into five parts.
Exposition: introduces the setting
– the time and place of the story, the
characters, and the basic situation.
Rising Action: introduces the
conflict, or problem.
Climax: the turning point of a story.
Plot
 Falling Action: The part of the story
where the conflict lessens.
 Resolution: The story’s conclusion.
Instructions for Plot Map