Elements of a Short Story

Plot
Climax

Rising Action Falling Action

Exposition Resolution
 Plot
Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution
Presentation of
essential
information and
conflict
Events that lead up to the
climax; the conflict builds
The turning point;
the most
important part of
the plot
Events leading to resolution
 Resolution-
point where
the conflict
is solved and
loose ends
are tied up
 Setting

Time Details
Period
Geographical
Location
Geographical Location

In Disneys Beauty
and the Beast, the
story takes place in
the country of France.
 Time Period

Disneys The
Hunchback of Notre
Dame was set in the
early 1800s
 Location Details

In Disneys The Little

Mermaid, some parts
of the story take place
in an underwater
grotto filled with
human artifacts and
hidden treasures.
 Characterization
Direct Characterization

Indirect Characterization
 Direct Characterization
The boy was very
sneaky
What the author
actually comes right
out and tells you
about the character.

The old woman was

frail and weak
 Indirect Characterization
Information that the
reader must infer from
what the character
says, does, and
thinks
The beady-eyed boy
shot his hand across
the desk when the girl
wasnt looking and
stole her homework
 Point of View
1st person observer

1st person main character

3rd person limited

3rd person omniscient

1st Person Observer

The person telling the

story is not a character
in the story, but still
uses the pronoun I
1st Person Main Character

The person telling

the story is a main
character in the
story
 3rd Person Limited

The narrator uses the 3rd

person pronouns he,
she, and they. A
limited narrator knows the
thoughts and feelings of
only one or a few of the
characters in the story
 3rd Person Omniscient

The narrator uses the 3rd person

pronouns he, she, and they. An
omniscient narrator knows the
thoughts and feelings of all the
characters in the story.
 Imagery
Imagery is language
that appeals to the
senses. This is not
limited to just your
sense of sight; it also
includes hearing,
smell, touch and
taste.
 Figurative Language
Symbolism- A symbol is something
that stands for something other
than itself
Metaphor- a comparison that
does not use like or as
Simile-a comparison that uses
like or as
Personification- giving human
qualities to a non-human object
 Symbolism
We use symbols in our everyday lives
Some others, just for fun
 Irony
Dramatic Irony- when the audience
knows something that the
characters do not

Situational Irony- when the outcome

of a situation is different than
expected

Verbal Irony- when what is said is

different than what is meant
(sarcasm)
The message that the
author is trying to
convey