Elements of a Short Story

1
Elements of a Short Story
2
Overview

• Short stories often contain structural and
  character elements that should be familiar to
  you.
• These elements can be used as guides to help you
  think about the actions, themes, and contexts of
  the story.

3
Elements of a Short Story

• Theme
• Setting
• Characters
• Point of view
• Characterization

• Plot
• exposition
• rising action
• conflict
• climax
• falling action
• resolution

4
Theme

• The main idea of a literary work, usually
• expressed as an underlying message.

Setting
The time and place in which a work of literature
happens.
5
Characters

• The people (or actors) in the story.

Point of View
How the story teller (the narrator) sees or
views things.
6
Characterization

• The description of the personalities of the
  characters in the story and the way in which an
  author reveals their personalities.
• There are 2 types of characterization
• Direct Characterization
• Indirect Characterization

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Characterization (cont.)

• Direct Characterization the writer makes direct
  statements about a character's personality and
  tells the reader what the character is like.
• Indirect Characterization the writer reveals
  information about a character through that
  character's thoughts, words, and actions.
• Traits are also revealed through what other
  characters think or say