Elements of the Short Story

1. Elements of a
Short Story

2. “Many stories matter. Stories have been used to
dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be
used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can
break the dignity of a people. But stories can also
repair that broken dignity.”
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author
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3. Elements of a Short Story
A short story is one of the forms of fiction writing, and we all know that
fiction is a series of events made from the imagination of the author. It
is a prose writing which does not depend on verses, rhymes or meters for
the organization and presentation of the narrative.
Here are the elements of a short story, and each is discussed thoroughly
to widen your understanding and help you become a better short story
writer.

4. Setting
Is the time and place of which the story revolves. The time of the
story tells when the story takes place. The place of the story is the
geographical location of where the story happened. Other authors
include the weather condition, social condition, and mood or
atmosphere of the story. These sub-elements can make the readers
engage more with the story.
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5. PLOT: the narrative sequence on how the author arranges his or her ideas.
This is a planned logical series of events that has its own beginning middle and end.
There are 5 essential components of the plot.
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Introduction
The beginning
of the story.
Character
and setting
are described
by author.
Rising Action
The events of
the story
become a little
complicated. The
conflict is
revealed.
Climax DenouementFalling Action
The highest
point of interest
and turning
point of the
story.
Events and
conflicts of the
story begin to
resolve
themselves.
The final
outcome of the
story.

6. Conflict
This is the vital element of a short story,
without the presence of conflict, there will
be no plot. It is not merely a form of an
argument between two characters, but
rather it is a form of opposition that faces
the main character. There are two types of
conflict: external conflict and internal
conflict.
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7. Character
The person in a work of fiction, or it is solely the characteristics of
a person. Characters should be consistent and motivated.
Character types:
• Protagonists
• Antagonists
• Major
• Minor
• Developing
• Static (unchanging).
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8. Point of View
The point of view is the vantage point at which the author presents the
story or the angle from which the story is narrated.
Some of the points of view are:
• First-person
• Third person
• Omniscient (all knowing).
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9. 9
Theme
The theme is the central idea.
In poetry, fiction and drama it is the abstract concept that
is made concrete through representation in person, action and
image.

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Elements of the Short Story - Google Doc
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