Elements of Short Story
Elements of Short Stories
Plot (what happens) conflict (the basic opposition or tension that sets the plot of a short story in motion; it engages the reader, builds suspense or mystery, and arouses expectation for events to follow.) open-ended at both ends exposition (background information, setting the scene, establishes situation, dates the action) rising action (complication) (develops and intensifies the conflict) climax (crisis) (the moment at which the plot reaches its point of greatest emotional intensity; it is also the turning point, directly precipitating the story 's resolution.) falling action (the tension subsides and the plot moves toward its conclusion) conclusion (resolution or denoument--French for "unknotting" or "untying") (records the outcome of the conflict and establishes some new equilibrium.) foreshadowing (presentation of material in a work in such a way that later events are prepared for.) Analyzing Plot 1. What is the conflict (or conflicts) on which the plot turns? Is it external, internal, or some combination of the two? 2. What are the chief episodes or incidents that make up the plot? Is its development strictly chronological, or is the chronology rearranged in some way? 3. Compare the plot 's beginning and end. What essential changes have taken place? 4. Describe the plot in terms of its exposition, rising action, climax, turning point, falling action, and resolution. 5. Is the plot unified? Do the individual episodes logically relate to one another? 6. Is the ending appropriate to and consistent with the rest of the plot? 7. Is the plot plausible What role, if any, do chance and coincidence play? 8. Contemplate the situation of the characters before the begining or after the
Plot (what happens) conflict (the basic opposition or tension that sets the plot of a short story in motion; it engages the reader, builds suspense or mystery, and arouses expectation for events to follow.) open-ended at both ends exposition (background information, setting the scene, establishes situation, dates the action) rising action (complication) (develops and intensifies the conflict) climax (crisis) (the moment at which the plot reaches its point of greatest emotional intensity; it is also the turning point, directly precipitating the story 's resolution.) falling action (the tension subsides and the plot moves toward its conclusion) conclusion (resolution or denoument--French for "unknotting" or "untying") (records the outcome of the conflict and establishes some new equilibrium.) foreshadowing (presentation of material in a work in such a way that later events are prepared for.) Analyzing Plot 1. What is the conflict (or conflicts) on which the plot turns? Is it external, internal, or some combination of the two? 2. What are the chief episodes or incidents that make up the plot? Is its development strictly chronological, or is the chronology rearranged in some way? 3. Compare the plot 's beginning and end. What essential changes have taken place? 4. Describe the plot in terms of its exposition, rising action, climax, turning point, falling action, and resolution. 5. Is the plot unified? Do the individual episodes logically relate to one another? 6. Is the ending appropriate to and consistent with the rest of the plot? 7. Is the plot plausible What role, if any, do chance and coincidence play? 8. Contemplate the situation of the characters before the begining or after the