3 Short Stories project: elements of a story

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 2

Welcome! Let's get started

What is a short story?

What is a short story? 

• A short story is any story between 1,000 and 10,000 words.
• Tells about a single event or experience.
• Fictional (not true)
• It has a beginning, middle, and end.
• Creates an impression on the reader.

Short Story Elements 

1. Setting
   
2. Characterization
   
3. Plot
   
4. Conflict
   
5. Climax
   
6. Resolution
   
7. Theme
   
8. Point of view

Setting 

              Tells the reader where and  the story takes place.

Characterization

Creation of imaginary people 

who appear to be real to the reader. 

The writer gives information about 

the characters in the story.

Plot

A series of events through 

which the writer reveals what 

is happening, to whom, and why.

Conflict

Is a problem in the story 

that needs to be resolved.

Climax

When the action comes to 

its highest point of conflict.

When it can go one way 

or another.

Resolution

The story’s action after 

the climax until the end 

of the story. 

How the conflict is solved.

The “conclusion” of the story.

Theme

The story’s main ideas.

The “message” the writer intends to

communicate by telling the story

Point of view

The position of the narrator of the story 

and what the writer sees from that 

vantage point.

Knowledge check!

Connect the names to the 

pictures of the writers

on the next slide.

You may ask your teacher for tips.

Roald Dahl

Neil Gaiman

Mary Shelley

Agatha Christie

Well done! 

Let's do it again. But now you'll

connect the writers to what they 

have written.

You may ask your teacher for tips.

Matilda

Frankenstein

Good Omens

Sherlock Holmes

The writers

In the previous slides you got to meet 2 of the 4 writers who have penned the stories in your reader.

In the next slides, answer the questions about the other two. 

Who are the four writers who penned the short stories in your reader?

What are the other two authors, who were not mentioned on the photo slides, famous for?

Today

We will read some and do exercises 

The questions: 

Q1: Explain in your own words, what is a short story? 

Q2: What is typical for a short story? (Name 3 things) 

Q3: Name 3 short story writers and 2 of the stories they wrote

Q4: Imagine being a short story writer, where would you get your inspiration? 

Q5: If you would read a short story: what genre would it have to be and why?