Literary Elements

A short story is a work of prose fiction that can be read in one sitting—usually between 20
minutes to an hour. There is no maximum length, but the average short story is 1,000 to
7,500 words. Short stories typically focus on a single plot instead of multiple subplots, as you
might see in novels. Some stories follow a traditional narrative arc and they often revolve
around a central theme or moral lesson.

Elements of a Short Story

1. _______________ is a person (or animal) in a literary work that takes part in the
action.

2. _______________ is the time and place in which a story occurs.

3. _______________ is a literary element that involves a struggle between two

opposing forces – usually the protagonist and the antagonist.

4. _______________ is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central
conflict. It follows a traditional arc with the following parts: exposition, rising action,
climax, falling action, and resolution.

5. _______________ is the central idea or belief in the story. It is usually woven

throughout the story. Characters actions, interactions, and motivations all typically
reflect the central belief.

Plot Diagram

1. ______________

4. ______________ 3. ______________

5. ______________ 2. ______________
Task A: Plot Identification Practice

What is the central theme/ what is the moral Exposition (include character names,
theme of the story? setting, mood, tone)

Rising Action (what event(s) lead up to the Climax (what is the turning point for the
climax?) plot?)

Falling Action (what happens as a result of Resolution (how does the story end? Does it
the climax?) leave you with questions, answers,
frustrations?)

Using the story, “Coffee, Worms, Snacks”, identify the main central theme of the story and
then fill in the plot diagram in the boxes below. You may want to use quotations, or you may
summarize using your own words.
 Literary Devices

A literary device is either a literary element or a literary structure found in fictional writing.
They are specific techniques that allow a writer to convey a deeper meaning that goes
beyond what’s on the page. They work alongside the plot and characters to elevate a story
and prompt reflection. They help to guide readers in a specific direction to interpret your
words the way you want them to.

________________ refers to a person, place, thing, or real-world event. They are used to
help connect the reader to other works which overall can help the reader build better
connections to the story (e.g. “You don’t want to go open Pandora’s Box”

________________ uses the same letters or sounds at the beginning of words in a sentence
or title

________________ is a figure of speech where abstract ideas are described using characters,
events, or other elements. Think of it like a story within a story. Allegories are often used to
tell a darker story in a way that’s easier to understand and for readers to receive (e.g. Animal
Farm is a story about made up farm animals that rise up to defeat humans, but the
underlying story is about the Russian Revolution).

________________ is when the narrator goes back in time for a specific scene or chapter in
order to give more context for the story.

________________ is when the author places elements within the writing that gives clues
about what will happen in the future of the story. It can be both literal and thematic.

________________ is when you use visually descriptive or figurative language in your

writing. It is meant to act as “showing” versus “telling” in your writing where you use more
sensory language versus blunt, plain words. 

________________ means giving human-like qualities to non-human elements. It helps to

create a stronger visual, helps to pull the reader further into your world, and allows the
reader to have a new perspective (e.g. the moon yanked a blanket of silver light over the
forest)

________________ is placing contrasting elements next to one another in order to

emphasize one or both, including words, scenes, or themes. Think of it like a happy moment
in a movie or book followed by a sad, heart-wrenching scene (e.g. I hate loving you)

________________ is a comparison between two things that are NOT alike and replaces the
word with another word (e.g. “She was drowning in a sea of her own despair” or “his heart
was lead, weighed down by the memory of what he’d done”)
________________ is a comparison between two things that are NOT alike and replaces the
word with another word but uses “like” or “as” within it (eg. “It was like she was drowning
in a sea of her own despair” or “his heart was as heavy as lead, weighed down by the
memory of what he’d done”)

________________ is the use of a situation or element to represent a larger message, idea,

or concept. Authors typically use symbolism as a way to convey a broader message that
speaks to more readers (e.g. crows are used to symbolize death, the colour purple
symbolizes royalty, red can symbolize death, struggle, power, passion, and spiders can
symbolize spying, sneaky, or untrustworthiness)