Elements of a Story

Elements of a
Short Story

3/16/2023

Plot Development

Each event in a short story moves the plot towards the resolution

Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story that shows how
the events are arranged.

By the end of the story, or during the resolution when the conflict is settled, a
character might have grown or changed by:

●Having a new insight

●Learning something new

●Or making a decision

This may reveal the theme, or message of the story.

Elements
of Plot

Setting

The setting is the time and location of the story.

● As you read think about:

○

The importance of setting to the events and conflict in the story

○

Whether the setting affects what the characters say and do.

The setting can be a backdrop, or it can be an important action
or conflict of the story

The setting and characters are usually introduced in the
exposition.

Multiple Choice

What part of the plot diagram is illustrated in step 1?

• exposition

• rising action

• conflict

• resolution

Multiple Choice

What part of the plot diagram is illustrated in step 6?

• exposition

• rising action

• conflict

• resolution

Multiple Choice

What part of the plot diagram is illustrated in step 3?

• exposition

• rising action

• conflict

• resolution

Multiple Choice

What part of the plot diagram is illustrated in step 4?

• exposition

• falling action

• conflict

• climax

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct definition of plot?

• The structure of a story that shows how events are arranged

• The process of analyzing why the author used specific dialogue.

• The act of making a story fit one specific point of view.

• The process of adding a secondary character to the storyline.

Multiple Choice

The most dramatic or intense part of the story, the turning point is called

• The Climax

• The Resolution

• The Exposition

• The Falling Action

Multiple Choice

What part of the plot would character traits, the setting, important details about the setting, time period, and background information be found?

• Rising action

• Falling Action

• Exposition

• Resolution

Characterization

A key part of the experience of reading a story is getting to know the characters and
finding out how they respond to the conflicts they face.

Characterization is the way the author uses actions, speech, and thoughts to
develop a character and reveal their traits, or qualities.

There are 2 types of characterization:

●Direct Characterization: The author makes statements that directly describe
the character and what they are like

●Indirect Characterization: the author reveals what a character is like through
their thoughts and actions or how other characters respond.

Character Traits and Actions

A character’s traits are his/her qualities.

We are usually told a character’s traits are usually revealed through
characterization, both direct and indirect.

As a character responds to events in a story, their actions cause other events to
occur.

As you read, look for:

●Details that show what the character does, says, and feels.

●Ways that a character’s actions influence the plot or give clues about the
theme of the story

Multiple Choice

When the author plainly tells the reader what the character is like.

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

Multiple Choice

What character trait is revealed?After pulling an all-nighter studying, Sarah moved through the dance routine sluggishly.  She was off beat and missed several moves

• passionate

• tired

• nervous

• bored

Multiple Choice

What would be appropriate text evidence to support this indirect trait?

SCARED

• "They laughed at the cheap graphics in the horror movie"

• "Their hands touched and it felt like love"

• "They were scared"

• "They shrieked after Mrs. Fisher jumped out from behind the lockers"

Multiple Choice

Which character trait best describes Andy?

_{Andy saw his neighbor struggling to get his lawn mower running, so Andy went over to his neighbor’s house and filled up his lawn mower with gas. When it still wouldn’t start, Andy lent him his lawn mower.}

• intelligent

• hurtful

• helpful

• lazy

Conflict

Each event in a short story moves the plot towards the resolution. The conflict is introduced
as the next step in plot, after the exposition.

Conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces.

●Protagonist: The main character who must work to resolve a conflict

●Antagonist: The character or force who causes a problem or conflict for the
protagonist.

Conflict moves a story forward by influencing characters’ actions and reactions. It moves a
story along because the reader must keep reading to find out what the problem is and how it
is resolved

There are two types of conflict

●Internal Conflict: A problem that takes place in a character’s mind

●External Conflict: A struggle against an outside force

Open Ended

What is conflict?

Multiple Choice

Kelly knows that she saw her friend, Kimmy, steal a pair of earrings and that she should tell someone. However, Kelly is her friend, and she doesn't want her to get into trouble.

Which type of conflict applies to this story?

• Internal Conflict

• External Conflict

Multiple Choice

Laura wants to watch her favorite TV show tonight, but knows she has a huge Social Studies test tomorrow.

• Internal Conflict

• External Conflict

Multiple Choice

Melanie’s teacher is collecting homework assignments and has announced that anyone who does not have his or her homework will have to stay inside during recess and make up the missing work.

• Internal Conflict

• External Conflict

4 common conflict types:

1.

Character vs Character
a.The character has an issue or problem with another character or group of
characters in the story (external conflict)

2.

Character vs Nature
a.The character has an issue with something happening in nature. (external conflict)

3.

Character vs Society
a.The character has an issue or problem with something that is happening in the
community or world (external conflict)

4.

Character vs Self
a.The character has an issue with his/her own mind and or heart. (internal conflict)

Multiple Choice

“____________________ conflict is a type of conflict that takes place inside the character’s mind.”

• Character vs Character

• Character vs Self

• Character vs Society

• Character vs Nature

Multiple Choice

The King family planned a trip to Florida. On the day they were supposed to leave, a terrible blizzard happened and all flights were cancelled. What type of conflict?

• character vs character

• character vs self

• character vs nature

• character vs society

Multiple Choice

Even though Sara couldn't go to the game, Erin still wanted to go. Erin knew it would hurt Sara's feelings if she went without her but she really wanted to go. Erin didn't know the right thing to do.

• character vs character

• character vs self

• character vs nature

• character vs society

Multiple Choice

Elsa has to be hidden away from the outside world because and hides her secret magical powers because she is aware that she will not be accepted if people know.

• character vs charcter

• character vs self

• character vs nature

• character vs society

Theme

The theme of the story is the life message the author is trying to
convey.

You can often figure out the theme by noticing what happens to the
characters in the story.

As you read think about:

● What the characters learn about themselves or the world

around them

● Consider how the characters change by the end or the story.

Multiple Choice

One way you could figure out the theme is to...

• Skim through the story

• Just read the beginning of the story

• Think about what the character has learned

• Read the ending of the story

Multiple Choice

The best definition of theme is...

• The lesson or message the author is teaching. 

• A word that summarizes the story.

• The character's main problem.

• The way a story is resolved

Multiple Choice

In 1946, Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. He became the first African American to play baseball in Major Leagues. Robinson's first game was opening day of the 1947 season. He faced the Boston Braves. He also faced a hostile crowd.

What could the theme be?

• Join the Dodgers

• you need to be scared to do what you love

• Follow your dreams

• Play Baseball

Multiple Choice

What is the THEME of the story?

King Midas wanted everything he touched to turn to gold. So, his wish was granted. Everything was great, until Midas touched his daughter, and she turned to gold.

• Daughters only get in the way of happiness.

• People should risk everything in their lives for what they want.

• Gold is more valuable than family

• Be careful what you wish for

Multiple Choice

A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow bridge, he looked down and saw his reflection in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own. If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a foolish Dog he had been.

What is the theme?

• Be respectful with others

• Be honest

• Never share your things with other

• Don't be greedy