Elements of a Short Story
ENG 4C1
What is a Short Story?
A short story is a piece
of prose fiction, usually
under 10, 000 words,
which can be read in
one sitting.
Short Story Elements
1. Plot
2. Atmosphere /Mood
3. Characters
4. Conflict
5. Theme
6. Setting
7. Point of View
P.A.C.C.T.S
1. Plot
The sequence of events
that occur in a story.
Usually has 5
components:
1. Introduction (Exposition)
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Denouement ( Conclusion
/Resolution)
Plot
Introduction/Exposition:
Sets up the story by
introducing the main
characters, the setting
and the problem to be
solved.
Trigger Incident – The
event which begins the
plot; introduces conflict
Plot
Rising Action:
The main part of the
story where the full
problem develops.
A number of events
and /or obstacles are
involved that will
eventually lead to the
climax.
Plot
Climax:
The highest point of
interest in the story
where the most exciting
events occur.
Plot
Falling Action:
Follows the climax.
It contains the events
that bring the story to
the conclusion.
Plot
Denouement/
Conclusion/Resolution:
The final outcome.
The conflicts are
resolved and the loose
ends are tied up.
Review: Elements of Plot
List the 5 elements of
the plot graph in order.
Answer:
1. Introduction (Exposition)
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Conclusion (Denouement / Resolution)
2. Characters
People involved in the
events of the plot.
Relatively few of them
in a short story due to
its limited length.
Characterization
In order for a story to seem The author may reveal a
real to the reader, its character in several
characters must seem real. ways:
1. His/her physical appearance
2. What he/she says (how they
Characterization is the
speak and what they say to
information the author gives others – often revealed in
the reader about the dialogue)
character themselves. 3. What he / she thinks (their
feelings, hopes and dreams)
4. What he/she does or does not do
5. What others say about him/her
and how others react to him/her
*including the narrator
Characters
Protagonist - The main
character or hero in a
story.
Antagonist – The
person or force that
works against the hero,
or main character, of the
story.
Characters
Narrator – The person
or character who tells
the story, gives
background
information, and fills in
details between
dialogue.
Flat vs. Round Characters
Flat character- A flat
character is simple and one-
dimensional, usually only
there to fill a simple role.
Round character- A round
character has a complex
personality, more like a real
person.
Static vs. Dynamic Characters
Static character- A static
character is one who stays
the same throughout the
entire story.
Dynamic character- A
dynamic character changes
in some way during the
story. They usually come to
some sort of realization that
permanently changes them
as a result of the events in
the story.
Characters
Foil – a character who
adds contrast to the
protagonist.
Elements of the Short Story:
Quiz
Provide an example of a
protagonist and
antagonist from the
same literary work.
Self Check: Elements of the
Short Story
Time for a quick check so
far…
What are the 6 elements
of a short story?
Answer:
1. Characters
2. Setting
3. Plot
4. Conflict
5. Point of View
6. Theme
Self Check: Characters
Describe 2 out of 4
ways an author can
establish
characterization.
Answer:
1. His/her physical appearance
2. What he/she says,
3. What he / she thinks, feels and dreams
4. What he/she does or does not do
5. What others say about him/her and how
others react to him/her
3. Conflict
Conflict is the main
struggle or opposition in a
story that the protagonist
has to solve or face.
Conflict in stories are
either:
1) External
2) Internal.
There are 6 main types of
conflict.
Conflict: Internal
Character versus Self:
This is an internal conflict.
When a character struggles
with moral dilemmas,
emotional challenges or
desires.
The conflict is with the
character's own conscience
or soul.
External Conflicts
1. Character versus
Character:
This is an external conflict.
This is the most obvious
form of conflict, when a
character in a story
struggles with another
character in the story.
This can be in the form of
arguments, conflicting
desires, opposing goals,
physical confrontations or
emotional dilemmas.
Conflict
2. Character versus Society:
This is an external conflict.
A character may feel repressed
by society creating a conflict.
For example, if a society
opposes different religions,
races, genders, sexual
orientation this can create
problems for characters in a
story.
Conflict
3. Character versus Nature:
This is an external conflict.
Sometimes the forces of
nature, which are out of the
characters’ control, cause
conflict in a story.
Nature can cause conflict in
the form of a flood,
hurricane, snow storm and
much more.
Conflict
4. Character versus Supernatural:
This is an external conflict.
This type of conflict is usually
found in certain literary genres,
such as fantasy, science fiction,
horror and supernatural books.
When the character comes up
against aliens, divine forces or
supernatural villains, such as
ghosts.
The main character must call
upon his or her strength to defeat
the fantastic enemy confronting
him or her.
Conflict
5. Character versus
Technology:
This is an external
conflict.
When the character
comes up against a
computer virus or a
robot, or anything
technological.
Review
List the 5 types of
external conflict
discussed in class.
Answer
1. Person vs. Person
2. Person vs. Nature
3. Person vs. Society
4. Person vs.
Supernatural
5. Person vs. Technology
Review
Name and provide an
example of the type of
conflict classified as
internal.
Answer
Person vs. Self
Example: a conflict
involving ones
conscience, fears or
doubts.
4. Theme
Theme is the story’s
message, unifying or central
idea.
The theme may be the
author’s thoughts about a
particular topic or view of
human nature.
Carefully examine character
and the central conflict; the
setting and action, images,
and repeated words or
phrases to help you identify
theme.
Review
Define the term
“theme”.
Answer
Theme is the story’s
message, unifying or
central idea.
Theme is the authors
commentary on an
aspect of human nature
or life in general.
5. Setting
The setting is where (place)
and when (time) the story
occurs.
Can provide the physical
background, environment or
atmosphere.
Also, can provide details
about the social condition of
the characters (daily life).
Mood / Atmosphere
Mood is the prevailing
feeling of the story created
through words and
descriptions. Mood is also
referred to as the atmosphere
of a literary piece
Mood is developed in a
literary piece through
setting, theme, tone and
diction
Self Check: Setting
Define the term
“setting”.
Answer:
The setting is where
(place) and when (time)
the story occurs.
6. Point of View
The point of view is the
perspective from which
the events of the story are
presented to the readers.
(who is telling the story)
There are 2 main types of
point of view:
Point of View
First Person –
a character in the story is
the narrator and uses the
pronoun “I”.
The story is told through
one characters eyes and
the events are coloured
through that characters
experience.
Point of View
Third Person –
the narrator tells the
story about other people
and uses the pronouns
“they” or “she / he”
rather than “we”.
Point of View
There are 2 types of third
person point of view:
1. Omniscient- the narrator
knows everything about
all the characters and the
events and can shift from
character to character.
2. Limited – the narrator may
choose to tell the story
through one character or a
group of character’s eyes.
Review
The narrator tells the
story using the
pronouns “they” rather
than “we”.
What type of point of
view is described
above?
Answer
Third Person
Review
The narrator knows
everything about all the
characters and the
events and can shift
from character to
character.
What type of point of
view is described
above?
Answer
Third Person
Omniscient
Elements of the Short Story
Wrap Up
Do you have any
questions?
