Short Story Literary Elements

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Short Story Literary Elements

• Some basic elements that every good story should
  have .
• Adapted from http//www.nebo.edu./misc/
• learning_resources/ppt/6-12/story_elements.ppt

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Every story needs characters

• People

Animals
Or Creatures
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The protagonist is the main character we can
relate to
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The protagonist is usually, but not always, a
good guy.
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The antagonist is the character or force who
opposes the protagonist.
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How can the antagonist be a force?
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Good stories have a conflict.
Person vs. Person
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Self
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Fate
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The time and place of the story is the setting.
Details that describe Furniture Scenery Customs
Transportation Clothing Dialects Weather Time of
day Time of year
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Plot is the sequence of events in the story.
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Resolution
Exposition
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During the exposition of the story, we are
introduced to the characters, setting, and other
background information.

• During the rising action, we discover the
  characters problems and complications.

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The climax is the most exciting part of the plot
Or the highest point of suspense in the
story!!!
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During the falling action, the story winds down.

• During the resolution or dénouement, the conflict
  is resolved and the story usually has a
  conclusion.

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The point of view is the perspective of the story.
I was framed! I just wanted to borrow a cup of
sugar!
That rotten wolf tried to eat us!!!!
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The theme is the authors central message or
insight into life.

• A theme can be
• stated (told outright) or implied (revealed
  gradually).

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Example of Theme
Every man needs to feel allegiance to his native
country, whether he always appreciates that
country or not. From A Man Without a Country
by Edward Hale pg. 185 in Prentice Hall
Literature book
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Whether youre the reader, or the writer, a good
story should include these literary elements!!!
characters
protagonist
conflict
climax
setting
point of view
antagonist