Short Story

Short Story

A short story is a short work of fiction. Writing fiction, as you know, is writing about imagined events and characters.

Important Elements of a Short Story

• Theme

• Characters

• Setting

• Plot

• Conflict

• Falling Action

• Conclusion

Theme

The theme is the central idea or belief in a short story.

Characters

A character is a person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part in the action of a short story or other literary work.

Setting

The setting of a short story is the time and place in which it happens. Authors often use descriptions of landscape, scenery, buildings, seasons or weather to provide a strong sense of setting.

Plot

A plot is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central conflict.

Conflict or Climax

The conflict is a struggle between two people or things in a short story. The main character is usually on one side of the central conflict.

On the other side, the main character may struggle against another important character, against the forces of nature, against society, or even against something inside himself or herself (feelings, emotions, illness).

Falling action

The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. The reader knows what has happened next and if the conflict was resolved or not.

Conclusion

This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story.

Short Story Structure

• Introduce the main character’s character.

• Introduce the setting: the time place, and relationships of the main character’s life.

• Introduce and develop the problem the main character is facing.

• Develop the plot and problem toward a climax.

• Develop a change in the main character.

• Develop a resolution.