The Elements of a Short Story

A fictional narrative prose with a few characters, limited setting, and a single major event.

• genre

• short story

• novel

• poetry

The people, animals, strange creatures or objects in a story

• point of view

• plot

• theme

• characters

The locale (place) and period (time) of a story

• plot

• title

• setting

• resolution

The series of events from the beginning until the end of a story

• characters

• plot

• point of view

• setting

The general truth or the life lesson(s) that of a story

• point of view

• theme

• resolution

• climax

The method or style that writers use to tell / narrate a story

• characters

• point of view

• climax

• theme

The highest point of interest in the story, where the best action takes place

• exposition

• falling action

• resolution

• climax

This is where the story ends and often the lesson of the story is realised

• climax

• resolution

• falling action

• exposition

The one who takes the leading part or the main role in the story. (the good guy)

• protagonist

• man vs man

• antagonist

• man vs himself

This term is used to describe the main "problem" in the story.

• climax

• exposition

• conflict

• antagonist