THE ELEMENTS OF THE SHORT STORY

The INTRODUCTION of the short story contains the following elements:

              SETTING – Time and place of the short story

              CHARACTERS – Protagonist is the main character of the short story

                                           Antagonist is who or what is against the main character

              CONFLICT – There are three basic types of conflicts:

                            Person vs. Person

                            Person vs. Nature or Natural environment

                            Person vs. Self

The story revolves around trying to resolve the conflict.  This is called the RISING ACTION.

The CLIMAX occurs when the conflict is resolved.

FALLING ACTION or the DENOUEMENT – ties up the loose ends.

THEME – which can also be called the moral of the story, is the statement the author makes about life. 

OTHER TERMS:

Point of View – refers to the person or narrator who tells the story.

First person point of view uses the pronoun “I.” This can be a major or minor character in the story and tells the story from his or her perspective.

Third person – Uses the pronouns “he” or “she.”

If the point of view is limited, it is from an outside observer who isn’t in the story.  This narrator tells the thoughts and feelings of just one of the characters, usually the main character.

If the point of view is omniscient, the narrator “knows all” and can tell the reader anything that any character is thinking or feeling.

The best way to write a short story is to get an idea and just begin writing! Good luck!