Elements of a short story or novel are like the who, what, where, when, and why of a news story.

Characters (who): the people, and/or animals in the story

Major characters and minor characters

Major: important to the storyline Minor: not critical to the movement of the plot, not

central to the story

PROTAGONIST ANTAGONIST

considered to be the main character or lead figure in a novel, play, story, or poem

may also be the hero

deceives, frustrates, or works against the main character, or protagonist

doesn’t necessarily have to be an person (could be death, the devil, an illness, or any challenge that prevents the main character from living “happily ever after“)

could be a character of virtue (good) in a literary work where the protagonist represents evil

Characters reveal themselves in four important ways:

Act

Say (dialogue)

Appear

Think

Setting (where and when): the time, place and physical details in which the story takes place

Theme (why): the message about life and human nature the author is trying to convey

Theme is a story’s central idea.

Is different from the subject of a story

Themes can be directly stated, but usually, must be inferred from clues in key story elements, such as: the story title how characters change and the lessons they learn

about life conflicts in story action words or phrases that express important ideas such as

courage or freedom

Rising Action

Exposition

Climax

Falling

Action

Resolution

Plot (what): the series of events in the story

• Occurs at the beginning of a short story

• Introduces characters, setting, and main conflict

• Sets tone/atmosphere

Begins to develop the conflict(s) The events in this part of the story show what the characters do to

solve the conflict.

Builds suspense Usually the longest part of the story

The turning point of the story

moment of greatest emotion/suspense when the main character comes face to face with a conflict

The main character will change in some way.

The action that follows the climax.

The conclusion of the story.

All loose ends of the plot are tied up.

The conflict(s) and climax are resolved.

Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

Two types of conflict:

external conflict—A character struggles against an outside force, such as nature, a physical obstacle, or another character.

internal conflict—The struggle takes place within a character’s mind, often as the character chooses between two courses of action.

Character vs Nature

The main character is in conflict with the forces of

nature.

Character vs Society

The main character is in conflict with a larger

group: a community, society, culture, etc.

Character vs Self

The main character experiences

some kind of inner conflict such as

fear.

Character vs Character

The main character is in conflict with another character, human or not

human.