Elements of the Short Story (Mrs. Harrell’s comments on paper)
People have always loved a well told tale. For thousands of years myths, legends, fables, fairy tales, and anecdotes have
helped satisfy the human yearning for a good story. (Please note the quotes about stories posted in our room)
These short narratives go far back into history, but many critics claim the modern short story was born as late as the
19th Century. Edgar Allan Poe is often mentioned as the father of the modern short story, especially the detective story.
Perhaps Somerset Maugham’s definition of a short story is as good as any:
a piece of fiction that has unity of impression, that can be read in a single sitting, and is moving, exciting, or amusing
Young journalists are taught to answer six important questions in writing the lead or opening paragraph of a news story:
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
Short stories tend to answer these questions, often by emphasizing one question more than the others.
Let’s consider the major elements of the short story: plot, character, setting, and theme.
Plot
J. A. Cuddon defines plot as “the plan, design, scheme, or pattern of events in a play, poem, or work of fiction.” In plot
we are concerned with What and How. A fully developed plot is often divided into six sections: situation, complication,
conflict and development (rising action), climax, outcome or falling action (denoument). Let’s see how it works in a
story familiar to you, Romeo and Juliet.
Romeo sees Juliet at a ball and falls instantly in love (situation). Unfortunately, the two lovers belong to feuding families
(complication). The warring families continue to feud and Romeo and Juliet continue to be in love (conflict and
development). A duel results in Romeo killing Juliet’s kinsman (climax). Romeo and Juliet continue to try to be together
but die as the result of a failure in communication (outcome and denoument).
The plot shows us what happens and how it happens. It is the strongest element in stories for children and young
readers. A good plot also causes adult readers to turn pages rapidly.
Short stories may be divided into three plot types.
The first as used in Romeo and Juliet can be shown like this:
The action rises to a climax and then winds down to the end
The second is sometimes called a rocket plot.
The climax ends the story; there is no winding down.
(“The Lady or the Tiger” is an example.
The third is sometimes called a slice of life.
This kind of story shows characters in a series of scenes
and stops without a dramatic climax
Character
A short story may be nearly plotless, but it always needs characters. They help answer the questions Who and Why. A
novel may have dozens of characters; a short story has a limited number. It features people in recognizable situations.
Setting
“Certain dank gardens cry aloud for a murder; certain old houses demand to be haunted; certain coasts are set apart for
shipwreck.” (Robert Louis Stevenson) The setting often plays a major role in the interaction between the characters and
their environment. By answering the questions Where and When setting provides a locale, a stage for the dramatic
action. In a well-developed story plot, character, and setting are interwoven.
Theme
The central idea of Romeo and Juliet is the tragic waste of young people’s lives because of the stupidity of a feud.
Similarly, the central idea, or theme, of a short story is an important element in its development. Theme often depends
upon human emotions like greed, love, jealousy, hatred, and courage.
Other Elements
Awareness of plot, character, setting, and theme increases enjoyment of the short story. But there are other elements.
The mood and atmosphere (similar to tone)of a story are dependent upon character and setting. The mood of “The
Scarlet Ibis” is reflective and regretful because of the setting elements (storm, war, swamp) and the characters of the
older brother who tells the story and Doodle and the terrible/wonderful sides of their love and pride.
Motivation is a term associated with character. What makes a person tick? Why does he or she act in a certain way?
The brother in “The Scarlet Ibis” lets us know his motivations throughout the story. When certain things happen or
when changes occur, the reader should know why.
The short story is usually characterized by compression and economy. A novel can afford long stretches of
description and digression. A short story usually seeks a simple impression…Poe said a short story needs to have a
single impression.
What makes a great story?
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Milton Crane, an editor, says it well:
The sudden unforgettable revelation of character; the vision of a world through another’s eyes; the glimpse of
truth; the capture of a moment in time.
All this the short story, at its best, is uniquely capable of conveying, for in its very shortness lies its greatest
strength.
It can discover depths of meaning in the casual word or action; it can suggest in a page what could not be stated
in a volume.
Harrellland short story wrap up. Choose one of the following to do and share with the class:
1. Story in a nut (egg) shell. Acquire a fairly commodious plastic Easter egg or Leggs stocking egg and stuff it with
the following miniature items. Write the story’s title and author on the outside and decorate further if you wish:
• A small object that symbolizes the story
• Two excellent short excerpts from the story highlighting excellent language
• A quote (not from the story itself) that summarizes the theme of the story
• A plot summary using the 5 Ws and H
• An acrostic of the author’s (or central character’s) name that tells interesting, relevant information
2. Make a miniature scrapbook, pie graphs of expenses, shopping lists, to do lists, wish lists, etc for the story of
your choice that let us know the central elements of the story. Or make a blog or facebook that accomplish the
same thing.
3. Make a movie trailer for your short story’s imagined movie version
4. Reformulate your chosen story in the style of Mother Goose rhymes, Dr. Seuss, rap, haiku, sonnets, or another
easily parodied or recognized format.