Short Story Elements

Main character in a work of literature, who is involved in the central conflict of the story.

1. A person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with the main character in the story; an opponent or adversary.

A character with a minor role and usually does not change throughout the story.

Fully developed, e.g. they have emotions, strengths, and weaknesses. They can change and grow throughout the story.

A writer tells us exactly what a character is like or what their traits are

The character is revealed through their personality, appearance, words, actions, and their effect on others. Characterization in which you have to infer to find out about the character

A message about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader.

Main parts of what happens in a story, Actions that take palce in a story.

A struggle between opposing forces. Man vs. Man, Man vs. society, Man vs. himself and Man vs. nature. A problem or struggle that the character faces

Background information on characters and events necessary for understanding the story

The series of conflicts or struggles that build a story toward a climax

the turning point or most exciting moment of a story, in which the main character comes face to face with the main conflict and a change happens

All events after climax leading to resolution

End of the story where loose ends are tied up

the perspective from which a story is told. , The way a story is written; depends on who is telling the story (first person; third person)