9A English
Ms. Mckenna
Identifying 7 Elements of Short Stories
As we read jot down words and phrases that help develop these 6 elements
Title:____________________________________________________________
Date:_________________
Setting
Plot
Conflict
Suspense
Characters/characterization
Theme
Point of View
First Person
Third Person Objective
Third Person Omniscient
Third Person Limited Omniscient
When you tell a story through the
viewpoint of a character using I or we.
The narrator is still an outsider looking
in, a detached observer, but this time
they are not aware of any character’s
thoughts or emotions. They can only
report what is said and done. It is like
an audience member at a play where
you can only watch actions and hear
dialogue. You are not aware of
character’s thoughts.
Uses pronouns such as he, she it, or the
name of the character. The narrator is
an outsider looking in who does not
participate in the action of the story.
The narrator knows all, sees all, and
reports all. They know the thoughts
and emotions of the characters.
Is the same as third person omniscient
except the narrator only knows the
thoughts and emotions of one
character. The narrator is limited hence
the name.
“Lather and Nothing Else”
Short Story by Hernando Téllez
1.From what Point of View is this story written?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. How would the story change each of the following elements if the point of view was switched to
Third Person Omniscient?
Suspense:_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Character:____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1. Drawing Conclusions: How does the author intend us to feel about Captain Torres? Find
evidence in the text to support your answer.
2. Critical Thinking: Did the barber do the right thing? Why or Why not? How did the barber
decide what he was going to do?
3. Evaluating: Would the phrase from the last paragraph of the story, “it’s not easy to kill,” have
been a better title for the story? Why or why not? How might it have changed the theme of
the story?