When planning to write a short story, it is very tempting to sit down and just start writing.

However,
it is important to map out what you will say and plan the order of what will happen to make for a
logical and sequential story. It is much more interesting to read a story that you can follow!

A successful and entertaining short story should include these five elements:

1. characters – the people, animals or imaginary creatures the story is

about

2. the setting – the time and location of your story

3. the plot – what happens in the story

4. the point of view - narrator

5. theme of the story – main idea

Brainstorming:

1. Characters - short stories usually have few characters. One character is the main character
and is central to the story. He/she/it is the protagonist. The opposing character is the
antagonist.

To make interesting characters you will want to tell about:

A. their name
B. their physical appearance
C. job
D. what they say, think, feel and dream
E. what others say about them and how others react to them

2. The setting – the time and location of your story

A. place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? Desert,
jungle, arctic, city, rural area, place in the past, futuristic city?
B. time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)
C. weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?
D. mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright
and cheerful or dark and frightening?
Writing the story:

3. The plot – this is what happens in the story

A. Introduction (exposition) – describe characters and setting, what is the conflict

(internal or external)
B. Complications (rising action) – What events or circumstances will complicate the
conflict?
C. Climax – this is the most suspenseful part of the story
D. Falling action – the conflict is starting to be resolved
E. Resolution – this is where the conflict is resolved and all loose ends are tied up

4. The point of view – omniscient? First person? Limited third person?

5. Theme of the story – this is the main idea about your story. Is it good vs. evil? Survival?
Love conquers all? Keep trying no matter what happens? Believe in yourself? Don’t judge a book
by its cover? People can change? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?