Elements of Literature (Short Story)

The introduction to a story, including the primary characters' names, setting, mood, and time.

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Falling Action

• Resolution

The most exciting point of the story, and is a turning point for the plot or goals of the main character.

• Characters

• Conflict

• Climax

• Conclusion

All of the events that lead to the eventual climax, including character development and events that create suspense.

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Falling Action

• Resolution

Everything that happens as a result of the climax, including wrapping up of plot points, questions being answers, and character development.

• Rising Action

• Falling Action

• Resolution

• Protagonist

Not always happy, but it does complete the story. It can leave the reader with questions, answers, frustration, or satisfaction.

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Resolution

“Once upon a time, there were three bears. There was a Daddy Bear, who was very big, a Mama Bear, who was middle-sized, and a Baby Bear, who was very small. They all lived together in a little cottage in the middle of the woods."

This is an example of . . .

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Falling Action

• Resolution

Soon after this the three bears returned. Father bear looked down on his bowl. “Someone's been eating my porridge,” he growled. Mother bear looked down on her bowl. “And someone's been eating my porridge too,” she said. And then baby bear cried, “And someone's been eating my porridge and at it's all gone!”

This is an example of . . .

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Conflict

• Resolution

Goldilocks opened her eyes and screamed with terror at the sight of the three angry bears. She jumped out of bed then jumped out of the window and ran all the way home.

Goldilocks never sneaked into someone else's house ever again.

This is an example of . . .

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Falling Action

• Resolution.

While they were away a girl came passed the cottage, her hair was golden and her name was Goldilocks. She was hungry and when she smelt the porridge she thought, “That smells good.” She looked through the window and saw the porridge on the table. “Perhaps I can help myself to some,” she thought. And so she opened the cottage door and sneaked in. “Hello,” she called, “Anyone in?” But there was no one home.

This is an example of . . .

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Falling Action

• Resolution

What is the setting of the passage below?
One summer day, Randolph the Bright slept alone in his room in the castle at Reddington. The light of the morning seeped slowly through his curtains. Randolph blinked against the day, smiling as his dream came to a peaceful conclusion. 

• winter in a train station of a busy city

• a hospital in the future

• a summer morning in a castle

• a grocery store in the 1980's