Elements of Short Story

It is said to be the heart of the story, the persons who take part in the action of the story.

• SETTING

• CHARACTERS

• PLOT

• CONFLICT

The place (locale) and time (period) when the story happens.

• CHARACTER

• SETTING

• PLOT

• CONFLICT

It is the series of events and characters’ actions that lead to the highest point of interest in a short story.

• CHARACTER

• SETTING

• PLOT

• CONFLICT

This is the beginning of the story where the author introduces the characters, identifies where the story is happening, and establishes the main conflict.

• EXPOSITION

• RISING ACTION

• CLIMAX

• FALLING ACTION

• RESOLUTION

It is the most exciting part of a short story. This is the part in the story when important decisions are made or important things are discovered.

• EXPOSITION

• RISING ACTION

• CLIMAX

• FALLING ACTION

• RESOLUTION

This is the solution to the problem in a story.

• EXPOSITION

• RISING ACTION

• CLIMAX

• FALLING ACTION

• RESOLUTION

This event occurs as you begin to move throughout the story. This is where conflicts start to build.

• EXPOSITION

• RISING ACTION

• CLIMAX

• FALLING ACTION

• RESOLUTION

This point occurs after the climax as the problems in the story start to work themselves out. The excitement becomes less and less as the conflict is resolved.

• EXPOSITION

• RISING ACTION

• CLIMAX

• FALLING ACTION

• RESOLUTION

This is the problem or challenges that arises within the story.

• THEME

• PLOT

• CONFLICT

• SETTING

This is the central idea in a short story and a general truth. This is considered as the author’s message to the readers.

• THEME

• PLOT

• CONFLICT

• SETTING