Elements of a Short Story

So far, we've talked about plot and conflict.

Remember that plot is how the author arranges events to develop his/her idea; it is the sequence of events in a story or play. The elements of plot are: exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution and the denouement. You can map plot by using Freytag's Pyramid.

Conflict is essential to plot. If there is no conflict, there is no plot! There doesn't have to be an open argument for there to be conflict. A short story usually has one major conflict and other smaller ones. The types of conflict are external and internal. Within those two types are four kinds of conflict: man vs man, man vs circumstance, man vs society, and man vs himself/herself.

To add to your understanding, try applying these elements to works that you have read.