Plotting a Short Story

​(1) PLOT

How the author arranges events to develop his/her basic idea. It is the sequence of actions in a story or a play. The plot is planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end.​

​ELEMENTS OF PLOT

1. Exposition (E)

2. ​Rising Action (RA)

3. Climax (C)

4. Falling Action (FA)

5. Resolution/Denouement​ (D)

​Exposition

It is the beginning of the story. We know who the characters are and where the story occurs. It should be interesting to incite readers.

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b. R snatches MJ's purse.​

​RISING ACTION

It is the basic problem in a plot. Rising action is where the events in the story become complicated; and the conflict in the story is revealed.

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n. MJ kicks the boy​

g. MJ asks why he steals her purse

e. MJ doesn't let him loose​

​CLIMAX

It is the turning point of the story. We wonder what will happen next? Will the conflict be resolved or not? Climax is the most tense point of the action.

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h. MJ drags the boy home.

c. MJ asks his name​

k. MJ asks the boy to wash his face

a. MJ lets him sit, and if he runs away, he can.​

j. R sits furthest away from the door to make him trustworthy.​

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​FALLING ACTION

The stage where complications begin to resolve finally. We know what has happened next. We know if the conflict is resolved or not.​

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d. MJ gives him something to eat.

f. MJ gives him some money to buy the shoes.

l. MJ lets him go.​

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​RESOLUTION/DENOUEMENT

The stage where complications begin to resolve finally. We know what has happened next. We know if the conflict is resolved or not.​

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i. MJ tells him to behave well.

m. R can only say "Thank You"​

​(2) CHARACTER

Usually, the characters in a short story are people, but they may be animals, machines, robots, or whatever the writer creates.​

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Characters in "Thank You, Mam" : Mrs. Jones, Roger, the passersbay, other roomers​

​(3) CHARACTERIZATION

It is the information the author gives to us about the characters themselves. It is the means by which characters create lifelike, vivid characters.​

​Methods of Characterization

Direct Method : The writer's tell something outright about the character's personality

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Indirect Method: When the writer tells the traits of the character by describing the character's words, thoughts, actions, and appearance.​ Another indirect method of characterization is through other character's comments or reactions toward a certain character.

​(4) Theme

The central idea in a story. It is the lesson or the message that conveys what the readers want to understand and remember in the story. Theme is different from topic. "Love" is a topic; "Love conquers all" is a theme. ​

​(5) Setting

It is the background in which the short story is set. It is where and when the short story takes place. Setting provides situation for the story's actions to happen. ​

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Geography, weather, time of day, social conditions, etc are settings to be examined carefully: what role do they play in the story? Are they significant to the plot or theme? In what way the story's setting contributes to characterization?​

​(6) Point of View (POV)

First-person POV:

Telling the story of your own​

Referring to yourself as "I"

Using me, mine, my, we, us.

​Third-person POV:

Telling the story as someone else's

Referring to all characters by name or as he, she, or they.

Using his, hers, theirs, him, her, them.​