Elements of

a Short
Story
Goal: The short story?
YOU will be able to:
1. Identify the elements of the
short story
2. Establish working
definitions of the elements
of a short story
3. Create your own short story
 What we will focus on to
learn.
What is a short story?
What are the characteristics
or elements of a short story?
How can we create a short
story?
 Duffys Jacket

As you listen or read

Duffys Jacket, write down
anything you notice the
story having as far as their
structure.
 Definition of a Short Story

Tells about a single event

or experience
Fictional (not true)
500 to 15,000 words in
length
It has a beginning, middle,
and end
Creates an impression on
the reader
Elements of a Short Story
Plot
Theme
Point of view
Conflict
Characterization
Setting
Climax
Resolution
 PLOT
Plot: A series
of events
through which
the writer
reveals what is
happening, to
whom, and why.
 Theme
Theme: The
storys main
idea. The
message the
writer intends
to communicate
by telling the
story.
 Theme
A central message, concern, or insight
into life expressed through a literary
work
Can be expressed by one or two sentence
statement about human beings or about
life
May be stated directly or implied
You will need to infer what the theme is
from the works title, key scenes, characters,
symbols, and plot events.
 Identifying Theme
Consider the following questions:
What is the problem?
Why does the problem occur?
How does the character confront the problem?
How does it turn out in the end?
Why does it turn out that way?
What is to be learned from the way the character
dealt with the problem and the way it turned out?
 Identifying Theme
Consider the topic:
What seems to be the topic of the
message?
Is there more than one topic?
If so, how do the topics connect?
What does the writer seem to be saying
about the topic(s)?
 Final Word about Theme
In order to understand and
appreciate a writers story, it is
necessary to understand the
message behind the story.
 Point of View
Point of view:
The position of
the narrator of
the story and
what the writer
sees from that
vantage point.
 POINT OF VIEW
FIRST PERSON (I made the winning
shot.)
THIRD PERSON (Matt made the
winning shot.)
OMNISCIENTall knowing so it can
reveal inner thoughts, feelings (Matt
was nervous as he released the
basketball.)
LIMITED OMNISCIENT
 Point of View
1. Character 1st person 2. Narrator third
Major person
Minor Omniscient
Observer Limited
Participant Objective
Reliable/unreliable

Example: There was a man who had two sons, and

the younger of them said to his father, Father, give
me the share of property that falls to me.
 Conflict
Conflict: Is
a problem in
the story
that needs
to be
resolved.
These are Examples of Conflict
These are Examples
 Types of Conflicts
External Conflicts Internal Conflicts
Person vs. Person Person vs. Self
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Supernatural
Person Vs. Technology
Characterization
Characterization:
Creation of imaginary
characters who
appear to be real to
the reader. The
writer gives
information about
the characters in the
story.
 Characterization
Telling us directly what the character is like
Describing how the character looks and
dresses
Presenting the characters words and actions
Revealing characters private thoughts and
feelings
Showing how other people respond and feel
about the character
 Setting
Setting:
Tells the
reader where
and when the
story takes
place.
 Climax
Climax:
When the
action comes
to its highest
point of
conflict.
 Resolution
Resolution: The
storys action
after the climax
until the end of
the story. The
conclusion of
the story.