SHORT STORY
A short story is a piece of fiction (story/tale/chronicle/portrayal) that has a limited number of words, usually between 1500 to 5000 words, and develops around a single theme and only a few characters, for example, HANSEL AND GRETEL is a short story by the Brothers Grimm.
CHARACTER
A character is a person, animal, being, creature, or thing in a story. Characters are the ‘actors’ and speak the dialogue, moving the story along a plotline. A short story can have only one character (protagonist) and still be a complete story.
Plan and name your characters. Describe their ages and details about their appearance in subtle ways (don’t give us blurry, vague characters). We need to relate to them, and whether we like them or hate them, feel sorry for them or cheer them on, is up to you, the writer.
SETTING
A setting is the time and place (or when and where) of the story and usually introduced at the beginning of the story, along with the characters. … The setting of a story can change throughout the plot. Creating pictures with your words is the easiest way to keep us hooked.
PLOT
The plot is how you set out the events to develop the basic idea; it is the sequence of events in a story having a beginning, middle, and end. The short story usually has one plot so it can be read in one sitting.
Things must happen in your story. Characters must clash, overcome an obstacle, or solve a problem of some sort.
Don’t make big plot jumps and don’t leave out important details.
GENRE
Genre is a style or category which controls what you write and how you write it. It describes the style and focus of the story you write.
Is it a Thriller or a Drama or an Adventure or a Romance?
RESOLUTION
The resolution is the conclusion of the story’s plot (Falling Action). The story begins to slow down and work towards its end. The resolution is when conflicts are resolved and the story concludes. It is the end of the story.
LANGUAGE
Narration literally means to tell a story. Plot, Setting & Characterisation = 3 key elements. Descriptive language creates a clear picture in your mind of what is being described. Let the narrator step out of the way. Let us see it and feel it. Remove the filter, the ‘she saw..,’ ‘he thought…’
SETTING
A setting (or backdrop) is the time and geographic location within a story. The setting describes the mood of a story.
For Example, A Magical Forest or Word War II hospital
PROTAGONIST
The protagonist of a story is sometimes called the main character and drives the story forward by pursuing a goal. The protagonist of a story is opposed by an antagonist.
SUPPORTING CHARACTER
A supporting character/s is not the focus of the primary storyline, but appears or is mentioned in the story enough to be more than just a minor character.
LOCATION
Setting or backdrop of the story. See SETTING
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationship is the connection of the characters in a story, for example, A Love Story, a Family Feud, A War Story.
TWIST
A plot twist introduces a radical change in the direction or expected outcome of the plot in a story. When it happens near the end of a story, it is known as a twist or surprise ending.
RISING ACTION
Rising action refers to the part of the story after the characters and setting are introduced and where the events of the story begin to create suspense as the character faces conflict.
CENTRAL CONFLICT
In a story, the central conflict is defined as the main obstacle or complication that characters need to get through in order for the story to reach a conclusion.
*Literary Terms. (2015, June 1). Retrieved November 3, 2015, from https://literaryterms.net/
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