The 5 key elements that make up a short story are characters, setting, conflict, theme, and plot. Characters are developed through descriptions, actions, dialogue, thoughts, and how other characters view them. Setting provides the time and place of the story. Conflict is any problem or struggle faced by characters, either with others/nature or internally. Theme conveys the central idea or message of the story. Plot follows the events and character actions related to the central conflict, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

1. 1
5 Important Elements of
a Short Story
The 5 key elements that make up a short story are:
Characters
Setting
Conflict
Theme
Plot
Prer

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Character
 A character is a person, or sometimes an animal, who ta
kes part in the action of a short story or other literary w
ork.
 Characters and how we get to know them:
 Through the author’s physical description of them
 Through their actions
 Through their words (dialogue)
 Through their inner thoughts
 Through what other characters say and think about them

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Setting
 Setting is the time and place
that a story occurs.
 Authors often use descripti
ons of landscape, scenery, b
uildings, seasons or weather
to provide a strong sense of
setting.

4. 4
Theme
 Theme is the meaning behind events and charac
ters’ actions in a story.
 The theme is the central idea, message, or purpo
se in a short story.
 A theme can be expressed as a general statement
about people or life.
 It is NOT plot summary.
 It can be either directly or indirectly stated by th
e author. Most likely indirectly.

5. 5
Conflict
 Conflict is any of the problems that a character encounters in a st
ory.
 The conflict is a struggle between two people or things in a short
story.
 The main character is on one side of the main conflict.
 Conflicts can be:
 1. External – conflict with others and with nature
 2. Internal – conflict within themselves
 The main character may struggle:
 against another important character
 against the forces of nature
 against society
 against something inside himself or herself (feelings, emotions, illness).

6. 6
Plot
 Plot is a pattern of events that develop from the interac
tions between characters.
 A plot is a series of events and character actions that rel
ate to the central conflict.
 There are 5 elements of plot:
 Exposition
 Rising Action
 Climax
 Falling Action
 Conclusion

7. 7
Plot Diagram
5 Elements of Plot

8. 8
Exposition
 The start or introduction of the story.
 The background information that the reader mu
st have in order to understand the story.
 This is where characters and setting are introduc
ed.

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Rising Action
 All of the events that take place leading up to th
e climax.
 This is where the reader is introduced to the con
flict.

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Climax
 The most exciting part of the story.
 The turning point in the story.
 Here the story is turned in a different direction, t
oward the conclusion.

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Falling Action
 The immediate reaction to the climax.
 All the actions that occur after the climax and be
fore the conclusion of the story.

12. 12
Resolution
 The conclusion of the plot.
 Loose ends are tied up.
 There might not be a clear res
olution. This is called a cliffha
nger ending.