English Exam Elements of a short story

Question 1

Setting

Answer 1

Setting is the time and place of the
story’s action. Setting also includes
ideas, customs, values, and beliefs.
* May be important to the story or not

Question 2

Characters

Answer 2

• Characters are the actors in a story’s
  plot. They can be people, animals, or
  whatever the writer chooses.
• The protagonist is the main character.
• The antagonist is the person in conflict
  with the main character. It is the
  character or force who opposes the
  protagonist. May or may not be “bad”
  or “evil.” Not all stories have
  antagonists.

Question 3

Theme

Answer 3

The main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie.

Question 4

Plot

Answer 4

Plot is the sequence of events in a story.
Each event causes or leads to the next. Plot
is often created through conflict, a struggle
between opposing forces.

Question 5

External Conflict

Answer 5

An external conflict is one between a
character and an outside force, such as
another character, nature, society, or fate.

Question 6

Internal Conflict

Answer 6

An internal conflict takes place within the
mind of a character who is torn between
opposing feelings or between different
courses of action.

Question 7

Person versus Person

Answer 7

this is an external struggle
between two characters

Question 8

Person versus Society

Answer 8

this is an external struggle
between a character and a social force or condition
produced by society, such as poverty, political
revolution, or a set of values

Question 9

Person versus Nature

Answer 9

this is an external struggle
between a character and some natural obstacle or
natural condition

Question 10

Person versus Self

Answer 10

this is an internal struggle within
a character, where aspects of his or her personality
may struggle for dominance. These aspects may be
emotional, intellectual, or moral.

Question 11

Introduction

Answer 11

Introduces the story’s characters,
setting, and sometimes the conflict.

Question 12

Initiating Incident

Answer 12

Introduces a conflict (could be
main conflict) and begins the rising action.

Question 13

Rising Action

Answer 13

occurs as complications, twists, or
intensifications of the conflict occur.

Question 14

Climax

Answer 14

is the emotional high point of the story.

Question 15

Falling Action

Answer 15

Action that follows the climax and
ultimately leads to the resolution of
the conflict.

Question 16

Conclusion