Short Story Elements

A character which changes during the course of a story or novel.

A character who demonstrates a variety of traits. These may change over the course of a story.

A struggle between a character and the laws or beliefs of a group; expectations; norms, etc.

A common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work.

The narrator reports the facts as a seemingly neutral and impersonal outside observer.

A related series of events in a literary plot that build toward the point of greatest interest.

The story is told from the viewpoint of one of the characters using the pronouns “I” and “we”

A hint or clue about what will happen in story.

A struggle between a character and his feelings, conscience or fear.

The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in a story.

A literary device used to introduce background info about events, settings, characters etc.

Is often a comment that conveys a different or opposite meaning than what it may seem to be.

Shows the author’s attitude toward the subject. It might be formal, informal, solemn, etc.

Occurs when the audience knows something the characters do not.

An inherent incompatibility (struggle) between two or more characters or forces in a story.

A decisive moment that is of maximum intensity; highest most exciting part of the story

The narrator is an outside observer that focuses on the thoughts & feelings of one character

A person in a movie, novel, etc. who opposes or is hostile to the lead character; the "bad" guy

A struggle between a character and mother nature; for example- weather, animals, sickness etc.

A character that remains the same through a story. The reader knows little about the character

A struggle, either mental or physical, between two characters

The part of a plot that occurs after the climax and the conflict/problem has been resolved.

The climate of feeling in a literary work.

The feeling of excitement or tension in a story

An author’s use of vocabulary, level of diction, sentence structure, arrangement of ideas.

The way the author describes the character; qualities/traits of the characters.

When the expected outcome does not occur in a story, movie, or novel.

A story conclusion/ending that the reader does not expect.

A character who reveals only 1 or 2 personality traits in a story and the traits don't change.

The time and place where a story takes place. This can include a time period.

Takes place between a character and something outside the character.

A scene interrupts the sequence of events to tell about something that happened in the past

The leading character in a drama, movie, novel etc. Usually the hero

Takes place inside a characters mind or heart. Sometimes involves a decision.

The part of a story in which the parts of the plot are pulled together & conflicts are resolved