The five basic elements of short stories are setting, characters, conflict, climax, and resolution. The setting establishes where and when the story takes place. Characters can be human, animal, or even nature itself. The conflict is the problem that the main character faces, which intensifies the plot. This builds to the climax, where the protagonist and antagonist face off one final time. Finally, the resolution concludes the story by revealing the outcome and tying up any loose ends.

1. SHORT STORY
WRITING
The Basic Elements

2. The Basic Elements
 There are five basic elements of short stories:
 Setting
 Characters
 Conflict
 Climax
 Resolution

3. Setting
 This includes places, time of the day, time
period, weather conditions and social
conditions.

4. Characters
 These may be humans, animals, inanimate
objects or nature

5. Types of Characters
 Main Characters
 These are the ones who play a major role in the
story and the plot of the story revolves around
their life. For example the protagonist (the hero)
and the antagonist (the villain) of the story.

6. Types of Characters
 Minor Characters
 These characters do not have any significant role
to play in the story. These may be friends of the
main characters or people in the court.

7. Conflict
 This is the problem that the protagonist of the
story faces. The problem often complicates
and intensifies making the plot of the story
more interesting.

8. Types of Conflict
 There are two types of conflict: external and
internal
 External Conflict is when other characters in the
story cause problems for the protagonist.
 External conflict may be categorized as :
 Man versus man
 Man versus nature
 Man versus animals
 Man versus super natural

9. Types of Conflict (continued)
 Internal Conflict is when the protagonist causes
problems for themselves.
 This type of conflict may be caused due to :
 Fear
 Lack of confidence
 Indecisiveness

10. Climax
 The conflict culminates at a point where the
protagonist and antagonist face off for the final
time. After intense struggle between the
two, the conflict is decided one way or the
other.

11. Resolution
 This is the ending of the story where the
reader gets to know about the final outcome of
the story. All the loose ends are tied up and all
the questions that may have arisen in the
readers’ minds are answered.