Define what a short story is

Define elements of a short

story
Read and identify the elements
of
a short story
Write original short stories
Connect the theme of the story
to their daily life affairs
 Elements
of a
Short Story
What is a Short Story?
A short story is a work of
fictional narrative prose with a
few characters, limited setting,
and a single major event.

A short story is meant to be

read in a single sitting.
What are its elements?
1. Characters – are the
people, animals, strange
creatures or objects that
think, talk and act.
Types of Characters
a. Protagonist – one who undergoes a
change or learns something during
the course of the story
-the one who takes the leading part

b. Antagonist – the who contends with

the protagonist
2. Setting – provides the
locale (place) and period
(time) of the short story
-it may be real or a make
believe place and time
3. Plot – is the series of
events which leads to a
climax, or high point of
interest
Parts of a Plot
a. Exposition – the characters and
setting are introduces, as is the
conflict – the struggle between a
character and some other force.

1. Types of Conflict
 Man vs Man (could be a specific person or society in
general)
 Man vs Nature (could be weather conditions or
animals)
 Man vs Himself (could involve personal life
circumstances or psychological issues)
b. Rising Action – during this time the
tension builds as the conflict becomes
more evident

c. Climax – this is the highest point of

interest in the story

-It involves important discovery or

decision. During this time, one of the
battling forces wins and the conflict is
resolved
d.Falling Action – the event that
immediately follows the climax
-During this part, the story draws to a
close

e. Resolution – the part of the story in

which loose ends are tied u p
 Leah’s parents arrive home
just as Leah panics.

Climax

Leah watches Leah

horror movies. explains to
Expositio She wakes her parents
up, alarmed at why she Resolution
n the noise. She was in the
Leah’s
decides to basement. Leah realizes
parents go
check the that she
away,
basement learned an
leaving Leah
door. She important
alone at their
gets locked in lesson about
home for the
the basement. herself.
first time.
 Kinds of Plot
a. Man in a Hole – considered as the
oldest and most popular kind of plot.
This story begins with a character or a
group of persons trapped in some kind
of a hole or problem. The story goes
on to show how the characters
manage to get out of their
predicament.
b. Man on the Road – some short
stories achieve their unifying effect
through a single character journeying
through life, encountering various
stages of adventure and growth
-This type of plot tends to be episodic but
because all events happened to the
same person, unity is established.
c. Man in a Tub – this type of plot
involves two important factors. First,
there must be an unstructured and
usually, an ordinary event. Then,
second, a realization or insight from
the experience of such event.
4. Theme – is a general truth about life

-This is considered as the message of

the story to the readers

Ex: Greed brings one’s downfall.

5. Point of View – is the way in
which the story is narrated. It is
the method, the vantage point,
that writers use to tell the story.
Types of Point of View
a. First Person – the narrator, using the
word “I” tells the story and
participates in it.

Ex: I turned back to my bucket and

sponge, and I could feel the tears
burning in my eyes. I wanted so
much to go to the ball but my
stepsisters would not hear of it.
b. Limited third person – the narrator,
who is not in the story, tells the story
through the use of “she” or “he”. The
narrator cannot see into the minds of
the characters.

Ex: Tears in her eyes, Cinderella turned

back to her bucket and sponge. She
jumped when the door to the room
slammed behind her as her
stepsisters left for the ball.
c. Omniscient third person – the narrator,
who is not in the story tells the story
through the use of “she” or “he.” The
narrator can see into the minds of the
characters and tell their thoughts.

Ex: Hurt and disappointed, Cinderella

turned back to her bucket and sponge.
The thought of missing the ball brought
tears to her eyes. Cinderella jumped
when the door slammed behind her.
Evaluation:
 Read the short story: How Much Land
Does A Man Need, by Leo Tolstoy

 Identify the elements of the short story