Short Story Elements Vocabulary

The ____________________ are the people or animals in the story.

• plot

• characters

• conflict

• setting

Fill in the blank with the correct story element.

The _____________________ is the series of events.

• characters

• theme

• setting

• plot

The __________________ is the time and place of the story's action.

• setting

• characters

• theme

• plot

Fill in the blank with the correct story element.

The __________________ is a message about life.

• plot

• setting

• point of view

• theme

Fill in the blank with the correct story element.

A character's ________________ is his or her qualities, such as honesty.

• traits

• motives

• conflict

• plot

Fill in the blank with the correct story element.

A character's _________________ are the reasons he or she acts, such as a desire to be liked.

• traits

• features

• motives

• names

The plot contains a ___________, or problem, between opposing forces.

• setting

• character

• conflict

• theme

Fill in the blank with the correct story element.

An _________________ conflict takes place inside a character's mind, such as when a man struggles to make a decision.

• internal

• external

• plot

• character traits

The ___________ is the main character in a story, often facing a conflict.

• A) antagonist

• B) protagonist

• C) narrator

• D) setting

Which element of a short story refers to the underlying message or insight about life?

• A) plot

• B) theme

• C) setting

• D) character