This is a very detailed presentation that covers narrative elements.

2.  Identify elements of a short
story
 Define elements of a short
story
 Demonstrate mastery of short
story elements

3. Short stories often contain structural
and character elements that should be
familiar to you.
These elements can be used as guides
to help you think about the actions,
themes, and contexts of the story.
Fictional stories have made-up
characters and elements but may be
based on real events.

4. Theme
Setting
Characters
Conflict
Characterization
 Plot
- exposition statement
- rising action
- conflict
- climax
- falling action
- resolution

5.  A lesson the author is trying to get
across about life or human nature.

6.  The theme is not what the
character learns, but what the
reader learns.
oWhat do the three little pigs learn in the
story?
oWhat can the reader learn from that?

7.  The time and place in which a
work of literature happens.
2010
Summer
This morning
At school
After lunch
An hour ago
At Michelle’s
house
Last year
October
On a rainy day
In church
In her room

8.  The people (or animals) in the
story.
 Characters can be major (the most
important roles) or minor (less
important).

9. The description of the
personalities of the
characters in the story
and the way in which
an author reveals their
personalities.

10.  People who are excellent softball players
are probably _________ because they
practice a lot.
 My friend is _____________ because
she always copies someone else’s homework
instead of doing her own.

11.  Conflict is a problem or
struggle between two
opposing forces

12.  Conflict DOES NOT have to
be a fight or argument.
A conflict can be fear,
jealousy, dislike, and any
variety of emotions or
clashes.

13.  Conflict can be:
• INTERNAL-happening
within the character
• EXTERNAL-between a
character and an outside
force

14.  INTERNAL or EXTERNAL?
 Christina and Destiny were arguing in
gym class.
 India is embarrassed to sing in front of
lots of people.
 Alana wants to go to the football game
but her dad won’t let her.

15.  The sequence or order of events in a story.
 The plot includes:
- Exposition Statement - The part of the
plot that tells how the story begins.
- Rising Action - The action in the story
leading up to the climax.
- Conflict - Struggles or problems
between opposing forces.

16. - Climax - The point of crisis in the
plot. It may be the reader’s point of
highest interest.
- Falling action - The action in the
story after the climax is revealed.
- Resolution - The part of the plot that
reveals the final outcome.

17. RisingAction
FallingAction
Resolution
Climax
Exposition
Conflict

18. Now it’s your
turn to see what
you learned about
elements of
fictional stories!

19.  Which story element is highlighted?
Rachael went to practice when
she got home from school.
 setting

20.  Which story element is highlighted?
Rachael went to practice when
she got home from school.
character

21.  Which story element is highlighted?
Rachael’s team was determined
to beat their opponent.
 conflict
External
Rachael’s Team vs. Opponent

22.  Which story element is highlighted?
Rachael was devastated after her
team lost.
Conflict
Internal
Rachael vs. Herself

23.  Which plot element is described?
The beginning of the story where
characters and setting are
introduced.
exposition

24.  Which plot element is described?
The turning point in the story
where you find out if the main
character will succeed or fail
climax

25.  Which plot element is described?
The end of the story where the
problems are solved.
resolution

26.  Which plot element is described?
The main character’s problem or
struggle.
Conflict
internal and external