Fiction/Narrative
Characteristics of a Short Story
Specific Elements
Setting: time (24 hr clock, era), place, climate, season
Conflict:
Human vs. Himself/Herself – The conflict is inside the character; he/she must struggle against himself/herself (it may be physical, mental, emotional or moral).
Human vs. Human – One character has a direct conflict with another.
Human vs. Environment – A character struggles against the situation he/she is in (e.g. society, nature, government, etc.).
Human vs. The Unknown – The unknown includes God, gods, religion, fate, ghosts, the supernatural, luck, destiny, aliens or anything else that is beyond the control of human beings.
Theme: reason why the author wrote it
Mood: Emotion that runs through the story. It may change throughout.
Characters:
Personality characteristics
Physical characteristics
A Good Story has…
Tense
Must be consistent – if you start in present tense, stay in present tense
Perspective/POV
1st person, 2nd person, 3rd person – must stay consistent as well!