Short Story Elements

Start with the elements

The mind map Elements of a Short Story is a useful starting point. It introduces setting as the time and location of a story and breaks it down into details such as place, weather, social conditions and atmosphere. It also introduces plot. Use the map to see how the terms are grouped before moving on to a specific story.

Move from terms to a story

The mind map Analyzing Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper begins with plot. Its opening describes Jane and John’s stay in a colonial mansion and Jane’s response to her room. After reading the general elements map, look at how this map organizes details from a story. You can return to the setting branches in the first map as you consider those details.

Practice with flashcards and a quiz

The Short Story flashcard decks cover terms including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. They also include conflict, setting and characterization. Study a deck alongside the mind map, using the cards to recall terms and the map to see how ideas are grouped.

Then try The Structure of a Short Story. Its questions include one about a sequence of events devised and presented by a writer. Use the quiz to check your understanding, and return to the map or flashcards when a term needs another look.

Explore the unit

Short Story Elements is a section of the Short Stories unit in Literature. The page brings general resources on story elements together with maps focused on individual stories, so you can move between terminology and examples within the same section. Choose a map, then try the quiz to put your understanding into practice.