Elements of a Short Story

These are the people in the story

• Character

• Plot

• Theme

• Setting

It is where and when the story takes place, the physical location and time period.

• Character

• Plot

• Setting

• Theme

It is the “why” behind the story.

• Plot

• Theme

• Character

• Setting

This determines whether we’re seeing something from the narrator’s perspective or a character’s perspective.

• Setting

• Tone

• Plot

• Point of View

It is the problem that drives a story’s plot forward.

• Conflict

• Plot

• Setting

• Character

It is part of the plot. It’s the beginning of the story where we meet our main character and see what their life is like.

• Climax

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Falling Action

It is the height of a story. The character finally faces and usually defeats whatever the major conflict is.

• Falling Action

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Resolution

It is when all the other conflicts or character arcs begin resolving.

• Rising Action

• Plot

• Climax

• Falling Action

All major conflicts are resolved or purposely left open for a cliff-hanger or sequel.

• Resolution

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Falling Action

This part of the story contains all of the events that lead to the culmination of all the plot points. We see most of the conflict in this section.

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Resolution

• Falling Action