SHORT STORIESDeidre Lovett

Lake Cormorant Middle School

ELEMENTS OF SHORT STORIES

SHORT STORY

A short story is a brief work of fiction. A short story takes readers on a quick, focused journey. Authors used the following elements of fiction to make the trip interesting.

Characters Conflict Plot Setting Point of view Theme

POINT OF VIEW

First person – the narrator is a character in the story.

Third-person – the narrator is not a character but is a voice outside the story.

Third – person omniscient (limited) – the narrator is able to relate the inner thoughts and feelings of all the characters.

TYPES OF NARRATORS

Objective narrator – is a neutral observer who reports on story events without adding personal comments.

Subjective narrator – participates in the story and offers opinions about what takes place.

ANALYZING HOW ELEMENTS INTERACTThe interaction of key story elements reveals the theme of a story.

THEMES IN SHORT STORIES

In the best short stories, story elements interact to convey a meaningful theme, or message about life or human nature.

Inferring a Theme

Characters and Theme

Conflict and Theme

Plot and Theme

Point of View and Theme

Setting and Theme

Symbols and Theme

Read pages 200-215 in Literature Book for additional study.