5 elements of a short story Flashcards
plot
The sequence of incidents or events of which a story is composed.
There is only one plot in a short story.
Introduces the reader to the setting, basic situation, and characters involved.
Introduction/exposition
Provides the background info we need to understand the story.
Often acts as the intro to our story.
This may also happen throughout the story when needed.
Initial/motivating incident
The first major action in the story.
This is the beginning of the avalanche.
This sets the story in motion.
Rising action
Incidents which carry the plot along. It often includes
Foreshadowing
Flashback
Conflict
Suspense
Climax
The highest point of action in a story
When the characters solve their issues.
Initial motivating incident will be resolved here.
Can be subjective, there may be different answers.
Highest point of emotion.
Falling action
When characters complete the action.
Involves events that occur after the climax, before the resolution.
Things are slowing down.
Resolution/denouement
The final workings of a story’s conflict.
All loose ens are tied up.
Narrative twist
indeterminate
Conflict
Prevents the main character from getting what they want.
Plot is driven by the conflict.
Internal conflict
Character vs. Self
External conflict
Character vs. Character
Character vs. Society
Character vs. Nature
Character vs. Supernatural
Character vs. Technology
Suspense
Feeling of excitement and curiosity that keeps the reader turning the pages.
Created by making the readers wonder how the conflict will be resolved.
Foreshadowing
Technique for hinting at events that may occur later in the plot.
Flashback
A reminder of things that have happened in the past.
To know what the character has been through.
Gives us a better understanding of who a person is in little time.
Character
Characterization is a writer’s tool. The time the author uses to provide us with details about a character.
Used over the course of a story to tell a tale, advance the plot, and hook the reader.
Types of characters
Protagonist
Antagonist
Foil
Stereotyped/stock
Round
Flat
Dynamic
Static
Character development
What a character says
What a character does
What others/narrators say about the character
What the character looks like
Point of View
The perspective from which the story is told.
4 types:
1st person
Pronouns of I, we, or me.
Can express their own feelings.
Often used in a recipe.
Showing vs. Telling
Telling is listing the events, not going into detail.
Showing involves using figurative language.
2nd person
Pronoun you
Puts the reader directly into the story.
Almost never used in stories.
3rd person
Pronouns he, she, it, they, them
Limited
Narrates character’s actions, offers you thoughts and feelings of one character.
Omniscient
They are all-knowing.
Tells us about the thoughts of most of the characters.
Effective character development
Consistency
Keeping what the character is like the same as much as possible.
Motivation
Making sure that character has the same motivation throughout.
Plausibility
Making sure the nature of the character is easy to believe.
Stereotypes
Can we lean on general stereotypes to help understand the character?
Epiphany
point out a turning point for a character, or in the plot, in the near future.
Used to change the opinion our character has about other characters.
Setting
Helps to create the mood and atmosphere of a text.
Three key points for developing setting:
Time
Of day, season, etc.
Location
Country, planet, etc.
Description
Of where the story takes place.
Atmosphere
Feeling created by the setting.
Mood
The overall feeling of the text, created by the author.
Tone
The author’s emotional attitude towards the subject matter.
Theme
The meaning behind a work of literature.
The underlying message or central idea that the author wants us to know.
Subject vs. Topic
it involves a statement or opinion about the topic.
Subject: love
Topic: love conquers all.
Theme can be major or minor, and there can be multiple themes in a story.
Some stories have no theme.
Theme is not
expressed in a single word
the subject or topic of a story
the conflict
a description of the plot
Universal themes
are themes that show up over and over in literature and apply to humanity in general.
Expression of themes
Feeling shown by characters.
Thoughts or interactions/conversations of characters.
Lessons the characters learn
Actions/events that take place in the story.
Clues to theme
Title
Characters
Plot and conflict
Setting
Symbols
Important statements
Symbolism
Object or thing that represents and idea, feeling, person, or symbolic object.
Used to provide meaning beyond what is being said.
Enhance the story by creating another level to the writing.
the 5 elements of plot are
Characterization, Setting, Plot, Theme, and Conflict
