Common Formative Assessment: Elements of a Short Story

What are the five elements of a short story?

• Characters, Setting, Conflict, Theme, Plot

• Antagonist, Protagonist, Setting, Conflict, Theme, Main Idea

• Main Idea, Conflict, The Three Little Pigs (Pig 1, 2, and 3)

• Characters, Exposition, Setting, Conflict, Theme, Plot

Which element is "The struggle a character has with himself, another character, society, or nature:"

• Exposition

• Antagonist

• Conflict

• Resolution

I was standing right there when Kemisha accidentally stepped on Keyshauna's foot in the line. Keyshauna shoved Kemisha backwards into the jello molds. Kemisha spilled her drink all over her brand new shirt. She was so mad, but not interested in getting into more trouble then she was already in. Just as Keyshauna reached up to grab Kemisha's hair the principal intervened and sent them to the office.

1. Based on the story above, what is the most appropriate setting?

• The line at a volleyball game

• The cafeteria lunch line

• A classroom

• The gym locker room

Travis was having a really bad day. He was being rude to everyone. He pushed Frederick on his way to class, and even threw Michael's books out of his hands. When it came time to go to the in-school game Travis got to the concession stand and ordered a hot dog and soda. As Travis waited for his snacks, he sunk his hand into his pocket only to find that he had lost his money. He turned to see that Michael was laughing at him.

What would be an appropriate theme (or lesson) for the passage above?

• Everything always works out.

• You should be nice to people, even if they are mean to you.

• What goes around, comes around.

• Always have extra money.

Read the story attached.
What is the CONFLICT of the story?

• She doesn't have any money.

• She doesn't have any worksheets or material to teach.

• She is a teacher.

• She was only seven years old.

Read the story attached.

EXPLAIN HOW THE SHERRI'S CONFLICT MIGHT CHANGE IN A DIFFERENT SETTING.

In other words, If the story takes place somewhere/sometime else, how can Sherri's problem be different?

(2-3 sentences) Use evidence from the text.

Read the story attached.

WHY DO YOU THINK THE CONFLICT IS ALSO EXPOSITION OF THE STORY?

• The conflict occurs in the resolution of the plot. At the end of the story, the readers find out what the biggest problem is.

• The conflict occurs in the rising action of the plot. In the middle of the story, the readers find out what the biggest problem is.

• The conflict occurs in the exposition of the plot. At the beginning of the story, the readers find out what the biggest problem is.

• The conflict does not in the exposition of the plot. At the end of the story, the readers find out what the biggest problem is.

Read the story.

Which choice best explains the PLOT of the story?

• Exposition/Opening: As volunteers for the Future Marine Biologists program, Arsen and Belleflor enter the darkened aquarium with their buckets of fish for feeding. 

  Rising Action: Arsen promises to never volunteer again. 

  Climax : Suddenly, Percy, another volunteer reached her hand out to them in the darkness and both of them screamed. 

  Falling Action: Percy shares the prank. Percy explained to them that it was a prank. Before they came in she transferred the fish and put red food coloring in the water. 

  Resolution: The both of them notice that puffers are not in its tanks.  They then walk over to the tanks with the piranhas and together they became worried as they thought the two creatures were put in the same tank.

  
  

• Exposition/Opening: The both of them notice that puffers are not in its tanks.  They then walk over to the tanks with the piranhas and together they became worried as they thought the two creatures were put in the same tank. 

  Rising Action: As volunteers for the Future Marine Biologists program, Arsen and Belleflor enter the darkened aquarium with their buckets of fish for feeding. 

  Climax : Suddenly, Percy, another volunteer reached her hand out to them in the darkness and both of them screamed. 

  Falling Action: Percy shares the prank. Percy explained to them that it was a prank. Before they came in she transferred the fish and put red food coloring in the water. 

  Resolution: Arsen promises to never volunteer again. 

• Exposition/Opening: As volunteers for the Future Marine Biologists program, Arsen and Belleflor enter the darkened aquarium with their buckets of fish for feeding. 

  Rising Action: The both of them notice that puffers are not in its tanks.  They then walk over to the tanks with the piranhas and together they became worried as they thought the two creatures were put in the same tank. 

  Climax : Percy shares the prank. Percy explained to them that it was a prank. Before they came in she transferred the fish and put red food coloring in the water. 

  Falling Action: Suddenly, Percy, another volunteer reached her hand out to them in the darkness and both of them screamed. 

  Resolution: Arsen promises to never volunteer again. 

• Exposition/Opening: As volunteers for the Future Marine Biologists program, Arsen and Belleflor enter the darkened aquarium with their buckets of fish for feeding. 

  Rising Action: The both of them notice that puffers are not in its tanks.  They then walk over to the tanks with the piranhas and together they became worried as they thought the two creatures were put in the same tank. 

  Climax : Suddenly, Percy, another volunteer reached her hand out to them in the darkness and both of them screamed. 

  Falling Action: Percy shares the prank. Percy explained to them that it was a prank. Before they came in she transferred the fish and put red food coloring in the water. 

  Resolution: Arsen promises to never volunteer again. 

Read the NEW story attached.

What is the theme of the story?

• Fame and fortune

• Responsibilities

• Attraction

• Judging others

What would be the best one-sentence THEME of the story attached?

• Take responsibility for your actions.

• Always help others in need, one day it will come back to you.

• Don’t judge a book by its cover.

• 1. Honesty is the best policy; treat other people's property with respect; money isn't everything.