SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kuwait




Introduction
We are all storytellers and there are stories all around us. You can
write a story about anything you want. All you need to know are the
basics.

Elements of a story

One element common to every story is a setting .The time and location in which a
story takes place is called the setting. For some stories the setting is very
important, while for others it is not. There are several aspects of a story's setting
to consider when examining how setting contributes to a story (some, or all, may
be present in a story)

a) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place?
b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc.)
c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc.?
d) social conditions - What is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story
contain local colour (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms,
customs, etc. of a particular place)?
e) mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is
it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

 PLOT -- The plot is how the author arranges events to develop his basic idea; It is
the sequence of events in a story or play. The plot is a planned, logical series of
events having a beginning, middle, and end. The short story usually has one plot


                           @Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Middle East
                                   All Rights Reserved
so it can be read in one sitting. There are five essential parts of plot:


a) Introduction - The beginning of the story where the characters and the setting
are revealed.

b) Rising Action - This is where the events in the story become complicated and
the conflict in the story is revealed (events between the introduction and climax).

c) Climax - This is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the
story. The reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or
not?

d) Falling action - The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. The
reader knows what has happened next and if the conflict was resolved or not
(events between climax and denouement).

e) Denouement - This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story.

CONFLICT-- Conflict is essential to plot. Without conflict there is no plot. It is
the opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot
move. Conflict is not merely limited to open arguments; rather it is any form of
opposition that faces the main character. Within a short story there may be only
one central struggle, or there may be one dominant struggle with many minor
ones.

There are two types of conflict:
1) External - A struggle with a force outside one's self.
2) Internal - A struggle within one's self; a person must make some decision,
overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.

CHARACTER -- There are two meanings for the word character:
1) The person in a work of fiction.
2) The characteristics of a person.


                          @Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Middle East
                                  All Rights Reserved
Persons in a work of fiction - Antagonist and Protagonist
Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with
all major events having some importance to this character - he/she is the
PROTAGONIST. The opposer of the main character is called the ANTAGONIST.



The Characteristics of a Person -
In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem
real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the
characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways:
a) his/her physical appearance
b) what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams
c) what he/she does or does not do
d) what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her

Characters are convincing if they are: consistent, motivated, and life-like
(resemble real people)

     So Keep in mind, like any story, your story needs to have a beginning,
      middle and end:

     The beginning is where we’re introduced to the characters, especially the
      main character and his/her problem
     The middle is where the action and plot develops. The main character will
      face difficulties such as opposition from other people or a challenging
      environment.
     The end is where the main character triumphs over his/her biggest
      challenge (or fails, in the case of a tragedy).
      …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….




                          @Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Middle East
                                  All Rights Reserved

More Related Content

What's hot

Short stories ppt 2
Short stories ppt 2Short stories ppt 2
Short stories ppt 2
Pete DeWeese
 
Analyzing Stories
Analyzing StoriesAnalyzing Stories
Analyzing Stories
Jeanette Carrasquillo
 
Elements of short story
Elements of short storyElements of short story
Elements of short story
Rahul Nair
 
Short story notes 2011-12
Short story notes 2011-12Short story notes 2011-12
Short story notes 2011-12
mmcminn
 
Elements of short story by Wajid Hussain Khoso
Elements of short story by Wajid Hussain KhosoElements of short story by Wajid Hussain Khoso
Elements of short story by Wajid Hussain Khoso
Wajid Hussain Khoso
 
Five important elements of a short story
Five important elements of a short storyFive important elements of a short story
Five important elements of a short story
Robert Joshua Busalla
 
English 9 - 5 Important Elements of a Short Story
English 9 - 5 Important Elements of a Short StoryEnglish 9 - 5 Important Elements of a Short Story
English 9 - 5 Important Elements of a Short Story
msclifford
 
Elements of the Short Story
Elements of the Short StoryElements of the Short Story
Elements of the Short Story
Shannon Speight
 
Elements of a Story
Elements of a StoryElements of a Story
Elements of a Story
Cherish Angelic Mondilla
 
Elements of a shortstory
Elements of a shortstoryElements of a shortstory
Elements of a shortstory
Jay Lebico II
 
How to Analyze a Short Story
How to Analyze a Short StoryHow to Analyze a Short Story
How to Analyze a Short Story
Ani Istiana
 
Six elements of the short story
Six elements of the short storySix elements of the short story
Six elements of the short story
De Roxas Catherene
 
Elements of Short Story
Elements of Short StoryElements of Short Story
Elements of Short Story
Kevin Doblon
 
Short story elements
Short story elementsShort story elements
Short story elements
ewaszolek
 
Story elements
Story elementsStory elements
Story elements
quesoqueen
 
Elements of a Short Story
Elements of a Short StoryElements of a Short Story
Elements of a Short Story
r3h1na
 
Elements of Short Story
Elements of Short StoryElements of Short Story
Elements of Short Story
christina ferrer
 
Short story (literature)
Short story (literature)Short story (literature)
Short story (literature)
Ishe Porto
 
Short Story Notes 2009
Short Story Notes 2009Short Story Notes 2009
Short Story Notes 2009
Heather2217
 
Elements of a short story
Elements of a short storyElements of a short story
Elements of a short story
Aira Grace Atabay
 

What's hot (20)

Short stories ppt 2
Short stories ppt 2Short stories ppt 2
Short stories ppt 2
 
Analyzing Stories
Analyzing StoriesAnalyzing Stories
Analyzing Stories
 
Elements of short story
Elements of short storyElements of short story
Elements of short story
 
Short story notes 2011-12
Short story notes 2011-12Short story notes 2011-12
Short story notes 2011-12
 
Elements of short story by Wajid Hussain Khoso
Elements of short story by Wajid Hussain KhosoElements of short story by Wajid Hussain Khoso
Elements of short story by Wajid Hussain Khoso
 
Five important elements of a short story
Five important elements of a short storyFive important elements of a short story
Five important elements of a short story
 
English 9 - 5 Important Elements of a Short Story
English 9 - 5 Important Elements of a Short StoryEnglish 9 - 5 Important Elements of a Short Story
English 9 - 5 Important Elements of a Short Story
 
Elements of the Short Story
Elements of the Short StoryElements of the Short Story
Elements of the Short Story
 
Elements of a Story
Elements of a StoryElements of a Story
Elements of a Story
 
Elements of a shortstory
Elements of a shortstoryElements of a shortstory
Elements of a shortstory
 
How to Analyze a Short Story
How to Analyze a Short StoryHow to Analyze a Short Story
How to Analyze a Short Story
 
Six elements of the short story
Six elements of the short storySix elements of the short story
Six elements of the short story
 
Elements of Short Story
Elements of Short StoryElements of Short Story
Elements of Short Story
 
Short story elements
Short story elementsShort story elements
Short story elements
 
Story elements
Story elementsStory elements
Story elements
 
Elements of a Short Story
Elements of a Short StoryElements of a Short Story
Elements of a Short Story
 
Elements of Short Story
Elements of Short StoryElements of Short Story
Elements of Short Story
 
Short story (literature)
Short story (literature)Short story (literature)
Short story (literature)
 
Short Story Notes 2009
Short Story Notes 2009Short Story Notes 2009
Short Story Notes 2009
 
Elements of a short story
Elements of a short storyElements of a short story
Elements of a short story
 

Viewers also liked

1
11
1
UNAM
 
IVI Workshop Kazak Investors In English
IVI Workshop Kazak Investors In EnglishIVI Workshop Kazak Investors In English
IVI Workshop Kazak Investors In English
Thomas Nastas
 
Toplines for all polling, National & Seven States
Toplines for all polling, National & Seven StatesToplines for all polling, National & Seven States
Toplines for all polling, National & Seven States
strengthensocialsecurity
 
Edupunk, Anarchogogy & Creative Learning
Edupunk, Anarchogogy & Creative LearningEdupunk, Anarchogogy & Creative Learning
Edupunk, Anarchogogy & Creative Learning
Craig Hammond
 
Business2 week2
Business2 week2Business2 week2
Business2 week2
Amy Hayashi
 
Strategies for designin a body wash soap
Strategies for designin a body wash soapStrategies for designin a body wash soap
Strategies for designin a body wash soap
yara93
 
Updates on Haiti Earthquake Relief (2010.01.23)
Updates on Haiti Earthquake Relief (2010.01.23)Updates on Haiti Earthquake Relief (2010.01.23)
Updates on Haiti Earthquake Relief (2010.01.23)
CEDAR Fund
 
Sw3 matome
Sw3 matomeSw3 matome
Sw3 matome
dskym
 
Semana 8 comercio
Semana 8 comercioSemana 8 comercio
Semana 8 comercio
almacecilia
 
Cate putin din_toate_frumos!!
Cate putin din_toate_frumos!!Cate putin din_toate_frumos!!
Cate putin din_toate_frumos!!Burlacu Sergiu
 
Estudio comercio electronico España CMT 2 T10 1.835m € +28%
Estudio comercio electronico España CMT 2 T10 1.835m € +28%Estudio comercio electronico España CMT 2 T10 1.835m € +28%
Estudio comercio electronico España CMT 2 T10 1.835m € +28%
Retelur Marketing
 
Gibraltar Fund Industry Association Briefing Lonon June 2010
Gibraltar Fund Industry Association Briefing Lonon June 2010Gibraltar Fund Industry Association Briefing Lonon June 2010
Gibraltar Fund Industry Association Briefing Lonon June 2010
marcuskillick
 
Ed11ma07
Ed11ma07Ed11ma07
Ed11ma07
Rafael Mermejo
 
Prix unique du livre - Mémoire du Conseil consultatif de la lecture et du livre
Prix unique du livre - Mémoire du Conseil consultatif de la lecture et du livrePrix unique du livre - Mémoire du Conseil consultatif de la lecture et du livre
Prix unique du livre - Mémoire du Conseil consultatif de la lecture et du livre
Serge-André Guay
 
Медиавирусы. Опыт Фаланстера
Медиавирусы. Опыт ФаланстераМедиавирусы. Опыт Фаланстера
Медиавирусы. Опыт Фаланстера
zabej
 
Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2010
Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2010Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2010
Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2010
Capgemini
 
Grant Thornton - Unlocking the China opportunity (retail)
Grant Thornton - Unlocking the China opportunity (retail)Grant Thornton - Unlocking the China opportunity (retail)
Grant Thornton - Unlocking the China opportunity (retail)
Grant Thornton
 
Input zu Social Media @ Innerschweizer Stiftungstag
Input zu Social Media @ Innerschweizer Stiftungstag Input zu Social Media @ Innerschweizer Stiftungstag
Input zu Social Media @ Innerschweizer Stiftungstag
Moritz Zumbühl
 
Relevvant case study (retail)
Relevvant case study (retail)Relevvant case study (retail)
Relevvant case study (retail)
Brian Michael Murch
 
Lehendkariaren hitzaldia - KABI 612ren inaugurazioa
Lehendkariaren hitzaldia - KABI 612ren inaugurazioa Lehendkariaren hitzaldia - KABI 612ren inaugurazioa
Lehendkariaren hitzaldia - KABI 612ren inaugurazioa
Irekia - EJGV
 

Viewers also liked (20)

1
11
1
 
IVI Workshop Kazak Investors In English
IVI Workshop Kazak Investors In EnglishIVI Workshop Kazak Investors In English
IVI Workshop Kazak Investors In English
 
Toplines for all polling, National & Seven States
Toplines for all polling, National & Seven StatesToplines for all polling, National & Seven States
Toplines for all polling, National & Seven States
 
Edupunk, Anarchogogy & Creative Learning
Edupunk, Anarchogogy & Creative LearningEdupunk, Anarchogogy & Creative Learning
Edupunk, Anarchogogy & Creative Learning
 
Business2 week2
Business2 week2Business2 week2
Business2 week2
 
Strategies for designin a body wash soap
Strategies for designin a body wash soapStrategies for designin a body wash soap
Strategies for designin a body wash soap
 
Updates on Haiti Earthquake Relief (2010.01.23)
Updates on Haiti Earthquake Relief (2010.01.23)Updates on Haiti Earthquake Relief (2010.01.23)
Updates on Haiti Earthquake Relief (2010.01.23)
 
Sw3 matome
Sw3 matomeSw3 matome
Sw3 matome
 
Semana 8 comercio
Semana 8 comercioSemana 8 comercio
Semana 8 comercio
 
Cate putin din_toate_frumos!!
Cate putin din_toate_frumos!!Cate putin din_toate_frumos!!
Cate putin din_toate_frumos!!
 
Estudio comercio electronico España CMT 2 T10 1.835m € +28%
Estudio comercio electronico España CMT 2 T10 1.835m € +28%Estudio comercio electronico España CMT 2 T10 1.835m € +28%
Estudio comercio electronico España CMT 2 T10 1.835m € +28%
 
Gibraltar Fund Industry Association Briefing Lonon June 2010
Gibraltar Fund Industry Association Briefing Lonon June 2010Gibraltar Fund Industry Association Briefing Lonon June 2010
Gibraltar Fund Industry Association Briefing Lonon June 2010
 
Ed11ma07
Ed11ma07Ed11ma07
Ed11ma07
 
Prix unique du livre - Mémoire du Conseil consultatif de la lecture et du livre
Prix unique du livre - Mémoire du Conseil consultatif de la lecture et du livrePrix unique du livre - Mémoire du Conseil consultatif de la lecture et du livre
Prix unique du livre - Mémoire du Conseil consultatif de la lecture et du livre
 
Медиавирусы. Опыт Фаланстера
Медиавирусы. Опыт ФаланстераМедиавирусы. Опыт Фаланстера
Медиавирусы. Опыт Фаланстера
 
Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2010
Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2010Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2010
Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2010
 
Grant Thornton - Unlocking the China opportunity (retail)
Grant Thornton - Unlocking the China opportunity (retail)Grant Thornton - Unlocking the China opportunity (retail)
Grant Thornton - Unlocking the China opportunity (retail)
 
Input zu Social Media @ Innerschweizer Stiftungstag
Input zu Social Media @ Innerschweizer Stiftungstag Input zu Social Media @ Innerschweizer Stiftungstag
Input zu Social Media @ Innerschweizer Stiftungstag
 
Relevvant case study (retail)
Relevvant case study (retail)Relevvant case study (retail)
Relevvant case study (retail)
 
Lehendkariaren hitzaldia - KABI 612ren inaugurazioa
Lehendkariaren hitzaldia - KABI 612ren inaugurazioa Lehendkariaren hitzaldia - KABI 612ren inaugurazioa
Lehendkariaren hitzaldia - KABI 612ren inaugurazioa
 

Similar to How to write_a_story

Jessica (Elements of Short Story)
Jessica (Elements of Short Story)Jessica (Elements of Short Story)
Jessica (Elements of Short Story)
Sarah3098
 
Literature Elements
Literature ElementsLiterature Elements
Literature Elements
Mr. Hobbs
 
Agedmother
AgedmotherAgedmother
Agedmother
Mae Ann Bactad
 
AProfile
AProfileAProfile
AProfile
Jessie Papaya
 
fiction-and-elements_ASEAN-Literature.pdf
fiction-and-elements_ASEAN-Literature.pdffiction-and-elements_ASEAN-Literature.pdf
fiction-and-elements_ASEAN-Literature.pdf
SkylerAzure
 
Elements of a short story
Elements of a short storyElements of a short story
Elements of a short story
Learning Tree
 
SHORT STORIES.pptx kasjpajdakfla;a;f;eskgoih
SHORT STORIES.pptx kasjpajdakfla;a;f;eskgoihSHORT STORIES.pptx kasjpajdakfla;a;f;eskgoih
SHORT STORIES.pptx kasjpajdakfla;a;f;eskgoih
JeanBayson1
 
Elements of Story
Elements of StoryElements of Story
Elements of Story
quesoqueen
 
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptxliterary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
meadowrain
 
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptxliterary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
JerwinMojico
 
Short story elements
Short story elementsShort story elements
Short story elements
coolbluiis
 
Elements of story telling xD
Elements of story telling xDElements of story telling xD
Elements of story telling xD
kameanne
 
Elements of story telling (with video)
Elements of story telling (with video)Elements of story telling (with video)
Elements of story telling (with video)
kameanne
 
M. Mellati. The Elements of Fiction
M. Mellati. The Elements of FictionM. Mellati. The Elements of Fiction
M. Mellati. The Elements of Fiction
Morteza Mellati
 
Short story elements
Short story elementsShort story elements
Short story elements
debranda
 
Narrative text structure
Narrative text structureNarrative text structure
Narrative text structure
Imee Miranda
 
Understanding the Short StoryTitle __________________________.docx
Understanding the Short StoryTitle __________________________.docxUnderstanding the Short StoryTitle __________________________.docx
Understanding the Short StoryTitle __________________________.docx
marilucorr
 
Elements Of A Short Story
Elements Of A Short StoryElements Of A Short Story
Elements Of A Short Story
---
 
Exploring prose 1
Exploring prose 1Exploring prose 1
Exploring prose 1
RisQhie Ardianti
 
Elements of a story English literature
Elements of a story English literatureElements of a story English literature
Elements of a story English literature
Kum Visal
 

Similar to How to write_a_story (20)

Jessica (Elements of Short Story)
Jessica (Elements of Short Story)Jessica (Elements of Short Story)
Jessica (Elements of Short Story)
 
Literature Elements
Literature ElementsLiterature Elements
Literature Elements
 
Agedmother
AgedmotherAgedmother
Agedmother
 
AProfile
AProfileAProfile
AProfile
 
fiction-and-elements_ASEAN-Literature.pdf
fiction-and-elements_ASEAN-Literature.pdffiction-and-elements_ASEAN-Literature.pdf
fiction-and-elements_ASEAN-Literature.pdf
 
Elements of a short story
Elements of a short storyElements of a short story
Elements of a short story
 
SHORT STORIES.pptx kasjpajdakfla;a;f;eskgoih
SHORT STORIES.pptx kasjpajdakfla;a;f;eskgoihSHORT STORIES.pptx kasjpajdakfla;a;f;eskgoih
SHORT STORIES.pptx kasjpajdakfla;a;f;eskgoih
 
Elements of Story
Elements of StoryElements of Story
Elements of Story
 
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptxliterary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
 
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptxliterary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
literary devices, elements & techniques.pptx
 
Short story elements
Short story elementsShort story elements
Short story elements
 
Elements of story telling xD
Elements of story telling xDElements of story telling xD
Elements of story telling xD
 
Elements of story telling (with video)
Elements of story telling (with video)Elements of story telling (with video)
Elements of story telling (with video)
 
M. Mellati. The Elements of Fiction
M. Mellati. The Elements of FictionM. Mellati. The Elements of Fiction
M. Mellati. The Elements of Fiction
 
Short story elements
Short story elementsShort story elements
Short story elements
 
Narrative text structure
Narrative text structureNarrative text structure
Narrative text structure
 
Understanding the Short StoryTitle __________________________.docx
Understanding the Short StoryTitle __________________________.docxUnderstanding the Short StoryTitle __________________________.docx
Understanding the Short StoryTitle __________________________.docx
 
Elements Of A Short Story
Elements Of A Short StoryElements Of A Short Story
Elements Of A Short Story
 
Exploring prose 1
Exploring prose 1Exploring prose 1
Exploring prose 1
 
Elements of a story English literature
Elements of a story English literatureElements of a story English literature
Elements of a story English literature
 

More from Abdallahawesome

Three men on_a_boat
Three men on_a_boatThree men on_a_boat
Three men on_a_boat
Abdallahawesome
 
Social scienceix07sept100
Social scienceix07sept100Social scienceix07sept100
Social scienceix07sept100
Abdallahawesome
 
Presentationon coordinate axis
Presentationon coordinate axisPresentationon coordinate axis
Presentationon coordinate axis
Abdallahawesome
 
Poetic devices
Poetic devicesPoetic devices
Poetic devices
Abdallahawesome
 
Maths sa 2 synopsis
Maths sa 2 synopsisMaths sa 2 synopsis
Maths sa 2 synopsis
Abdallahawesome
 
Maths sa 1 synopsis
Maths sa 1 synopsisMaths sa 1 synopsis
Maths sa 1 synopsis
Abdallahawesome
 
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdfIntroduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Abdallahawesome
 
Hots a necessity
Hots a necessityHots a necessity
Hots a necessity
Abdallahawesome
 
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdfIntroduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Abdallahawesome
 
Science sa 2 synopsis
Science sa 2 synopsisScience sa 2 synopsis
Science sa 2 synopsis
Abdallahawesome
 
Speech writing
Speech writingSpeech writing
Speech writing
Abdallahawesome
 
Jeromek jerome-120514192414-phpapp01 (1)
Jeromek jerome-120514192414-phpapp01 (1)Jeromek jerome-120514192414-phpapp01 (1)
Jeromek jerome-120514192414-phpapp01 (1)
Abdallahawesome
 

More from Abdallahawesome (12)

Three men on_a_boat
Three men on_a_boatThree men on_a_boat
Three men on_a_boat
 
Social scienceix07sept100
Social scienceix07sept100Social scienceix07sept100
Social scienceix07sept100
 
Presentationon coordinate axis
Presentationon coordinate axisPresentationon coordinate axis
Presentationon coordinate axis
 
Poetic devices
Poetic devicesPoetic devices
Poetic devices
 
Maths sa 2 synopsis
Maths sa 2 synopsisMaths sa 2 synopsis
Maths sa 2 synopsis
 
Maths sa 1 synopsis
Maths sa 1 synopsisMaths sa 1 synopsis
Maths sa 1 synopsis
 
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdfIntroduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
 
Hots a necessity
Hots a necessityHots a necessity
Hots a necessity
 
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdfIntroduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
Introduction to coordinate_geometry_pdf
 
Science sa 2 synopsis
Science sa 2 synopsisScience sa 2 synopsis
Science sa 2 synopsis
 
Speech writing
Speech writingSpeech writing
Speech writing
 
Jeromek jerome-120514192414-phpapp01 (1)
Jeromek jerome-120514192414-phpapp01 (1)Jeromek jerome-120514192414-phpapp01 (1)
Jeromek jerome-120514192414-phpapp01 (1)
 

How to write_a_story

  • 1. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kuwait Introduction We are all storytellers and there are stories all around us. You can write a story about anything you want. All you need to know are the basics. Elements of a story One element common to every story is a setting .The time and location in which a story takes place is called the setting. For some stories the setting is very important, while for others it is not. There are several aspects of a story's setting to consider when examining how setting contributes to a story (some, or all, may be present in a story) a) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc.) c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc.? d) social conditions - What is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story contain local colour (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)? e) mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening? PLOT -- The plot is how the author arranges events to develop his basic idea; It is the sequence of events in a story or play. The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end. The short story usually has one plot @Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Middle East All Rights Reserved
  • 2. so it can be read in one sitting. There are five essential parts of plot: a) Introduction - The beginning of the story where the characters and the setting are revealed. b) Rising Action - This is where the events in the story become complicated and the conflict in the story is revealed (events between the introduction and climax). c) Climax - This is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the story. The reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not? d) Falling action - The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. The reader knows what has happened next and if the conflict was resolved or not (events between climax and denouement). e) Denouement - This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story. CONFLICT-- Conflict is essential to plot. Without conflict there is no plot. It is the opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot move. Conflict is not merely limited to open arguments; rather it is any form of opposition that faces the main character. Within a short story there may be only one central struggle, or there may be one dominant struggle with many minor ones. There are two types of conflict: 1) External - A struggle with a force outside one's self. 2) Internal - A struggle within one's self; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc. CHARACTER -- There are two meanings for the word character: 1) The person in a work of fiction. 2) The characteristics of a person. @Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Middle East All Rights Reserved
  • 3. Persons in a work of fiction - Antagonist and Protagonist Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character - he/she is the PROTAGONIST. The opposer of the main character is called the ANTAGONIST. The Characteristics of a Person - In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways: a) his/her physical appearance b) what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams c) what he/she does or does not do d) what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her Characters are convincing if they are: consistent, motivated, and life-like (resemble real people)  So Keep in mind, like any story, your story needs to have a beginning, middle and end:  The beginning is where we’re introduced to the characters, especially the main character and his/her problem  The middle is where the action and plot develops. The main character will face difficulties such as opposition from other people or a challenging environment.  The end is where the main character triumphs over his/her biggest challenge (or fails, in the case of a tragedy). ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. @Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Middle East All Rights Reserved