7 Elements of a Short Story

Character:

•Protagonist

•Antagonist

Character:

Developed through:•Narrator description•Dialogue from character•Character’s action•Other characters reveal character through dialogue

Mood

Established by:• Setting• Dialogue• Action• Author’s tone

Point of ViewFirst person• Typically uses “I”

Third person• Limited: reveals one character’s thoughts• Partially limited: reveals some but not all

characters’ thoughts•Omniscient: reveals all characters’

thoughts

Setting

Some indicators:• Location (background)• Time—year, era, etc.• Season—weather,

atmosphere

Conflict

• Internal

• External

Conflict

• Character versus character• Character versus nature• Character versus society• Character versus self• Character versus supernatural

Plot

• Exposition•Rising action• Climax• Falling action•Resolution

Theme

Elements within a plot• Might be a moral to the story• Some common themes:–Love conquers all–Good versus evil–Coming of age

7 Elements Review• Character• Mood• Point of View• Setting• Conflict• Plot • Theme