Learning about the elements of a short story:
1. Plot - is the series of events or episodes that make a story. It is the skeletal
structure of the story: the parts are
a. introduction – where the characters are introduced
b. rising action – presentation of conflict/s
c. climax - the highest point of interest or dramatic intensity. It usually marks the
turning point of the story.
d. denouement – means unknotting or untying and knowing of the outcome.
Kinds of plot: 1. linear plot - starts from the beginning
2. circular plot – interruption to show an event in the past is
recalled
3. En Medias Res – starts in the middle to predict what will happen
in the future
2. Characterization – how the people involved in the story are referred to
Kinds: protagonist and antagonist
Personality: flat and round
3. Setting – place where the story happened. It can prompt the characters to act, to bring
them to realization or cause them to reveal their innermost nature.
a. atmosphere – over all general feeling of the story
b. physical
- the physical description of the place
c. time/ period/ era
d. weather
4. Symbol – an object that stands for, or represents an idea, belief, superstition, social or
political institution.
5. Tone – speaker’s attitude as reflected in the story or poem
Mode – emotional climate or atmosphere that the author in the story
6. Conflict – the clash between two opposing forces of ideas or beliefs.
a. internal
man versus himself
b. external
man versus man; man versus environment; man vs nature
7. Resolution – moment where answer/s were given to the conflict
8. Lessons/ Insights – principles in life derived from the story
9. Point of view – narrative perspective or method used by the author to tell the story:
the position, psychological as well as physical
a. first person point of view – uses “I”, “ we’, relates events as these are
perceived by the character
b. third person point of view – uses “they” “she” “he’,
c. omniscient – unrestricted of time, place and can look into the mind of the
characters.
10. Narrative Devices
a. chronological order - starts from the beginning
b. flashback - scene relived in a character’s memory
c. foreshadowing - gives clues of things to come as based on the present.
11. Theme – concepts, ideas and major messages that come across in the short story/ poem
plot -the sequence of related events that make up a story
conflict- the problems that exist within the story
internal conflict- problems that exist inside the characters' minds ex: person vs. self
external conflict- problems that surround the characters ex: person vs. person, person
vs. community and person vs. nature
rising action- the events (complications) leading up to the climax
climax- the highest moment of suspense and excitement; the turning point fo the story
falling action- the results of the climax; events that occur afterwards
resolution- how the story ends; the solution
setting- time and place the story takes place
character- person or animals in a work of literature
static- a character who stays the same throughout the story
dynamic- a character who undergoes changes in personality or attitude
internal- the feelings, beliefs, and values of a character
external- the physical traits of a character
direct characterization- the writer makes direct statements about the character's
personality
indirect characterization- the writer reveals a character's personality through the
character's words and actions and through what other characters say and think
protagonist- the main character in the story
antagonist- the person or force who opposes the protagonist
narrator- the person telling the story
point of view- the viewpoint from which a story is told
omniscient- the teller of the story can take us into the minds of all the characters
third person- the writer tells the story from viewpoint of an outside narrator.
first person- an "I" tells the story. Our persception of other characters comes from this
person's view
theme- the central insight that the story gives us about life and human nature
symbol- the idea that something concrete can represnt an abstract meaning
irony- a contrast or difference between what is stated and what is really meant, or
between what is expected to happen and what actually happens
verbal irony (sarcasm)- saying one thing but meaning something different
dramatic irony- when the reader or audience knows something that the characterin the
story does not know
situational irony- when the opposite of what you would expect to happen happens
foreshadow- hints an author purposely drops throughout the story to suggest its
outcome/ending
flashback- a reference to an earlier event or scene that interrupts story
dialogue- conversation between characters
humor- quality of being funny, evoking laughter
drama- literary genre intended for theater and performance
style- the way in which a story is written; the use of litery devices
atmosphere- a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing
mood- feelings risen within the reader due to author's word choice and style of writing
tone- overall attitude of the author