Short Story Terminology

What are the major components of a short story?

• plot

• characters and narrative viewpoint

• atmosphere and mood

• theme / motif

• setting

Give an appropriate definiton for the term plot.

• = series of connected actions that will lead to the climax and finally to the resolution of a story.

• = the amount of time it takes the reader to read the piece of writing.

• = it is a discourse (e.g. speech or piece of writing) about a particular, usually serious, topic.

Give an appropriate definiton for the term conflict.

• = discussion in a dialogue

• = struggle in a story (e.g. two colliding worldviews) that creates an interest and suspense

• = fights or even brawls in a story that creates action

Give an appropriate definiton for the term internal conflict.

• = outside the story (e.g. story is difficult to read)

• = inside a character (e.g. making a difficult choice)

• = outside a character (e.g. person vs. nature, society, another person)

• = inside the author (e.g. author cannot find an ending for their story)

In which part of the plot does the author introduce the characters, the setting and the situation?

In which part of the plot does the author involve us in the story by making us aware of a possible conflict in a story?

Which part of the story adds further complications to the story and thus, builds susepense?

Which part of the story is the turning point and the moment of greatest tension and/or crisis in the story?

Which part of the story connects all events that resulted from the climax?

Which part of the story ties all loose ends together and at least implies a final outcome of the story?