Elements

of a
Short Story
1. SETTING
- refers to place, time, weather condition, social
condition, and even mood or atmosphere. To
recognize the setting of the story, you may ask these
questions:
• Where is the action taking place?
• Where is the story taking place? Is it during the day,
night, what year, what period?
• What is the weather condition? Is it sunny, rainy, and
stormy?
• What is the daily life of the character? What are his
• What is the feeling created at the beginning of the story?
Is it bright, cheerful, dark or frightening?
Example : My sister and I had a fun–filled vacation last
summer. We stayed at our grandparents’ house, which was
near the beach. We swam in the sea every morning,
climbed the trees in the afternoon and fed the animals
before dark. When the moon was bright, we played
patintero.
Using the guide questions above, provide the answers:
1. Where is the action taking place?
2. Where is the story taking place?
3. What is the weather condition?
2. Plot
– It is the sequence of events in a story or play. The plot is
a planned, logical series of events having a beginning,
middle and end. The short story usually has one plot, and
it could be read in one sitting .There are five essential
parts of a plot:
a. Exposition/Introduction - In the introduction, the
setting and the characters are revealed.
b. Rising Action - This is where the events in the story
become complicated and the conflict in the story is
revealed .This is where events between introduction and
climax take place.
c. Climax - It is the turning point of the story and the
highest point of interest. It is where the reader asks what
will happen next. Will the conflict be resolved or not?
d. Falling Action - The problems and complications begin
to be resolved.
e. Denouement - This is the final outcome or untangling
of events in the story.
 Identify whether the given part of a story is the beginning,
middle and end of the story.
1. Suddenly, the boat tilted to the left. “Steady!” cried our
teacher, “stay where you are!” We kept calm .We prayed
hard and followed all of our teacher’s instructions.
Middle
Answer: ___________
2. Finally, the fox grumbled. “I don’t want those grapes
anyway. I know they must be sour.” Then, he went away.
Answer: ___________
End
3. Once there was a child who liked summer besta. He
lived on a farm and every summer, he enjoyed harvesting
corn, vegetables and fruits. Answer: ___________
Beginning
3.Conflict
- It is the opposition of forces which ties one incident to
another and makes the plot move. There are two types of
conflict:
a. External – refers to outside forces that may cause
conflict, like another human being, circumstances,
environment, etc.
b. Internal - refers a struggle within oneself. The
character maybe debating inside himself about what to do.
4.Character/Characterization
–the person in a work of fiction and the
characteristics of a person. He may be the protagonist,
the good-natured character, or the antagonist, the
opponent of the main character.
The author may reveal a character in several ways:
his physical appearance, what he/she says, thinks, feels
and dreams; what he/she does or does not do ;and what
others say about him/her .
5.Point of View
– the angle from which the story is told.
a. Innocent Eye/ First Person’s Eyes , as she
experiences it.
b. Author can narrate the story using the Omniscient
Point of view where he can move from one character
to another and have free access to their thoughts ,
feelings , and emotions.
c. Third Person in a limited view depending on what
the author chooses to reveal or a camera maybe
moving from one character to another.
6. Theme
– it is the controlling idea or value in a piece of fiction. The
theme maybe the author ‘s idea about a topic or view of
human nature.
ACTIVITY. MATCHING
From the pool of words below, choose the appropriate
answer to the following descriptions.
___________1. The setting and characters are revealed.
___________2. The highest point of interest in the story
___________3. The main character faces a conflict or
problem.
Climax Introduction Denouement

Falling Action Rising Action

___________4. The ending where the final outcome of
the story is shown
___________5. The problems and complications are
resolved.

Climax Introduction Denouement

Falling Action Rising Action

_______6. Refers a struggle within oneself. The character
maybe debating inside himself about what to do.
_______7. Refers to outside forces that may cause
conflict, like another human being, circumstances,
environment, etc.
_______8. Where an author can move from one character
to another and have free access to their thoughts ,
feelings , and emotions.
Internal Conflict External Conflict
First Person’s Eyes Omniscient Eyes
Third Person’s Eyes
_______9. A limited view depending on what the
author chooses to reveal or a camera maybe moving
from one character to another.
_______10. As the author experiences the action or
event.

Internal Conflict External Conflict

First Person’s Eyes Omniscient Eyes
Third Person’s Eyes
ACTIVITY. MATCHING
From the pool of words below, choose the appropriate
answer to the following descriptions.
___________1.
Introduction The setting and characters are revealed.
___________2.
Climax The highest point of interest in the story
___________3.
Rising Action The main character faces a conflict or
problem.
Climax Introduction Denouement

Falling Action Rising Action

 ___________4.
Denouement The ending where the final outcome of
the story is shown
___________5.
Falling Action The problems and complications are
resolved.

Climax Introduction Denouement

Falling Action Rising Action

 _______6.
Internal Refers a struggle within oneself. The character
Conflict
maybe debating inside himself about what to do.
External
_______7.Conflict
Refers to outside forces that may cause
conflict, like another human being, circumstances,
environment, etc.
Omniscient
_______8. Eyes
Where an author can move from one character
to another and have free access to their thoughts ,
feelings , and emotions.
Internal Conflict External Conflict
First Person’s Eyes Omniscient Eyes
Third Person’s Eyes
_______9.
Third Person’s
A Eyes
limited view depending on what the
author chooses to reveal or a camera maybe moving
from one character to another.
_______10.
First Person’s As the author experiences the action or
Eyes
event.

Internal Conflict External Conflict

First Person’s Eyes Omniscient Eyes
Third Person’s Eyes