Short Story Elements

Front

Conflict in a story

Back

Main problem the character encounters

Front

Setting: Time and place of a story.

Back

Time and place where a story occurs.

Front

Exposition of a story

Back

Beginning where setting and characters are introduced.

Front

Rising action: Conflict grows and events build in excitement.

Back

Conflict grows and events build in excitement.

Front

Climax: The most exciting part of a story; the turning point.

Back

The most exciting part of a story; the turning point.

Front

Falling action: part after climax where events wind down.

Back

Falling action

Front

Resolution in a story

Back

End where everything is resolved.

Front

Theme of a story

Back

Major life lesson or message.

Front

Plot of a story

Back

Series of events in a story.

Front

Message of the story:

Back

Theme