Short Story Elements

Front

What is the conflict of a story?

Back

The main problem the character encounters

Front

What is setting?

Back

The time and place where a story occurs

Front

What is the exposition of a story?

Back

The beginning of a story where we learn about setting and some of the characters.

Front

What is rising action?

Back

Where the conflict of the story grows and where the events increasingly build up in excitement.

Front

What is climax?

Back

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

Front

Falling action

Back

The part after the climax where events are winding down.

Front

What is the resolution?

Back

The end of a story where everything is resolved.

Front

What is the theme of a story?

Back

The major life lesson or message.

Front

What is the plot of a story?

Back

The series of events in a story.

Front

What is the message of the story?

Back

Theme