Prepared By: Mitus Shiela B. Nogra BSED-English 3A

1. ELEMENTS OF
A SHORT
STORY
Lesson plan by: Mitus Shiela Nogra
BSED-English 3A

2. I. Introduction
A short story is a work of short,
narrative prose that is usually
centered around one single event. It
is limited in scope and has an
introduction, body and conclusion.
Although a short story has much in
common with a novel, it is written
with much greater precision.

3. II. Objectives
At the end of the 60 minute session, the students should be
able to:
• Identify and
define the
Elements of
Story.
2. Perform a role
playing out of the
assigned story.
3. Explain the
importance of the
Elements of a story.

4. III. Content
The lesson will focus on the basic elements
of a short story.
• Character: Depending on the nature of the story, characters are most often people or animals. Writers use characters to
perform the actions and speak the dialogue of a story. They move a story’s plot forward. They are the who of a story.
• Setting: A story’s setting refers not only to the physical location, but also the time the action takes place. It is the where
and the when of a story.

5. 3. Plot: The plot relates to the events that happen in a story. Plot can be further divided into sub-elements such as: introduction, rising action, climax, falling
action, and resolution. It is the what of the story. Plot usually begins with a problem and ends in the story’s resolution.
4. Conflict: Every story worth its salt requires conflict. This conflict can be thought of as a challenge or problem that drives the action of the story. No conflict, no
story. Setting up a series of cause and effect events, conflict gives these events their why.
5. Theme: a little more abstract than the previous elements, the theme refers to the underlying insight, the moral or idea that the writer is expressing through the
story. It is often thought of as the ‘message’ of the story.

6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcXRXwn
eFY0

7. IV. Activities
Activity No. 1 Pic a partner!
Each student will have a copy of a story. Various story
elements are written on pieces of card: character,
setting, mood, tone etc. Students take turns picking
out a piece of card, making sure their partner does not
know which element they have selected. They must
then read a brief extract from the story (The Necklace
by Guy de Maupassant) that corresponds to that
element. Their partner must attempt to identify the
element. When their partner has successfully identified
the story element, it is then their turn to pick a card.

8. Activity No. 2
The class will be divided into five groups and each group will perform a 3-5 minute role play of the chosen story, the presentation must have the elements of a story. The
performance will be graded according to the criteria.
Group 1 – The Tomato Game by N.VM. Gonzales
Group 2 – The Warm Hand by N.V.M. Gonzales
Group 3 – The Flowers of May by Francisco Arcellana
Group 4 – The Bread of Salt by N.V.M. Gonzales
Group 5 – Divide by Two by Francisco Arcellana

10. V. Assessment
Assessment 1.1
In a ¼ sheet of paper, write your answer using different
elements of short story.
1. The ______ is the time and place that the story takes
place.
2. Nevan and Neville are examples of ______ in a story.
3. It is a story element where the problem arises._____
4. It is the message of a story. ______
5. It is often thought of as the ‘message’ of the
story._____

11. V. Assessment
Assessment 1.2
For 20 points, in a one whole sheet of paper, read the selection “The Dog Eaters by Leoncio P. Deriada”. Determine its character, setting, conflict and the resolution. On the other side of the paper, how important is it to
know the elements of the story?

12. http://compilationofphilippineliterature.blogspot.com/2011
/04/dog-eaters-leoncio-p-deriada.html

13. VI.
Summary
The whole lesson contains the basic
concepts of the elements of a short
story. Being able to know and master the
elements will help you as a reader and
as a student to be able to comprehend
the story well.

14. Reference:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sanjacinto-
englishcomp2kscope/chapter/reading-a-short-
story/

15. That's it for
today's class!
Hope you had loads of fun getting to
know the Elements of a Short Story