1. Elements of a Short Story

2. Bellringer
• What part of a story is most important?
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Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution

3. PLOT
A series of events
through which the
writer reveals
what is happening,
to whom, and why.

4. Start with a HOOK
• Grab your reader’s
interest by starting
with a piece of
dialogue or
something
shocking.

5. • Use a “hook” introduction to help readers
jump into your story!

6. Possible Hooks
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dialogue
Action
Something unexpected
A contrast
Character description
Description of setting
A question or an exclamation
Humor

7. Important Elements
Conflict: Is a problem in the story that
needs to be resolved.
Climax: When the action comes to its
highest point of conflict.
Resolution: The story’s action after the
climax until the end of the story. The
“conclusion” of the story.

8. So…
• What plot elements should you emphasize
in your story?

9. Short Story Vocabulary
Theme: The
story’s main ideas.
The “message” the
writer intends to
communicate by
telling the story.
All parts should
be contributing to
your theme!

10. Short Story Vocabulary
Point of view: The
position of the
narrator of the
story and what the
writer sees from
that vantage point.
Choose wisely!!

11. Elements of a Short Story
Setting
Characterization
Plot
Conflict
Climax
Resolution
Theme
Point of view

12. Your Turn!
• Revise your draft to include a hook, and
make sure your structure is in tact.
• Remember, your story can only be 1 lined
page! Be concise!

13. Closure
• What is your hook?

14. Great writers are able to use
the elements of the short story
with such precision that the
reader is caught up in the action
of the story. This is a mark of a
good story and our goal as a
writer.

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