This document outlines the key elements of a short story: setting, characters, plot, and theme. It defines each element and provides examples. Setting establishes where and when the story takes place. Characters include the protagonist and antagonist, and are developed through direct and indirect characterization methods. Plot is the sequence of related events, built around a conflict between opposing forces. It includes exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Theme is the main idea or underlying message of the story. Analyzing stories using these elements can help understand short fiction.

1. Elements
of a
Short Story
Ms. Ghie D.Vidar
SALIS

2. Objectives
• Identify and define
elements of a short story
• Demonstrate mastery of
short story elements by
creating story grammar
Elements of a Short Story

4. Overview
A Short Story is similar to your dish. It needs
the best ingredients for you to enjoy its delectable taste.
Stories are made up of four important
elements:
Setting
Characters, Plot,
and Theme
Elements of a Short Story

5. Setting
Tells the reader where and when
the story takes place.

6. Characters and
Characterization
The people, and in some
stories, the animals that take
part in the story.
The description of the personalities
of the characters in the story and
the way in which an author
reveals their personalities.

7. Two Identifications of
Characters
1. Protagonist –
the hero of the story
2. Antagonist –
the villain in the story
who is always
opposing the
protagonist

8. Methods of Characterization
Creating Believable Characters
• Indirect • Direct
– physical appearance
– the narrator’s
– speech, thoughts, feelin direct
gs, or actions of the comments
character about a
character
– speech, thoughts, feelin
gs, or actions of other
characters

9. Plot
• The chain of related events that
take place in a story.
• Built around conflict, which is
a struggle between opposing
forces.

10. • The plot is the sequence or order of events in a
story.
PLOT DIAGRAM
• The plot includes:
Exposition Statement
The part of the plot that tells how
the story begins.
Rising Action
The action in the story leading up
to the climax.
Climax
Conflict
The struggles or problems between
opposing forces.
Climax Conflict
The point of crisis in the plot. It
may be the reader’s point of
highest interest.
Falling action
The action in the story after
the climax is revealed. Exposition Resolution
Resolution
The part of the plot that reveals
the final outcome.

12. Types of Conflict
-Man vs. Man
-Man vs. Nature
-Man vs. Obstacle or Society
- Man vs. Supernatural Being
-Man vs. Himself

13. Theme
• The main idea of a story.
• It is not a moral, lesson, or a
rule for living.
Ex.
Love
Family Feud
Themes from ‘The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet’

14. CONCLUSION
Now that we have identified
and defined the elements of a
short story, let us use the
elements to analyze a Short
Story.
You may use your notes from
the PowerPoint presentation.

16. Bibliography
Dinneen, K. Elements of the Short Story. Retrieved Jun.
19, 2003, from Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute:
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1983/3/83.03.09.x.html
Five Elements of a Story. Retrieved Jun. 19, 2003,
http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-2277.html
Guevin, D. Short Story Elements. Retrieved Jun. 19, 2003,
http://www.uvm.edu/~dguevin/Elements.html