Short Story Elements

Novel

A long fictional story with complex plot and many events and characters

Incident

A single happening in a story

Read the following description of a setting for a short story and select all of the things that you can tell about the story. Gregory opened the door on a scene of wild confusion. Apparently, he would be living with a roommate who enjoyed books, marshmallows, hamsters, open cupboard doors, weightlifting, loud music, and photography, but not peace, order, and quiet study.

Gregory and his roommate will have difficulty adjusting to each other. Gregory may have to learn to adjust and compromise.

omninscient

Knowing all things

Contemporary

Living or happening in the same period of time

Read the following description of a setting for a short story and select all of the things that you can tell about the story. There was no nonsense about Miss Madigan's office. In one corner was an olive-drab metal file; and on the desk were a black telephone, a note pad, and one sharp pencil. On the wall was a district map with red and green pushpins. One of the red pins was at our house, 238 Mill Street.

Something will occur involving the narrator's house. Miss Madigan is meticulous and organized.

Eerie

Weird, uncanny

Select all that apply. Which of following phrases could be used as a basis for a short story?

a championship basketball game in which a new player is the star a family mix-up over selecting a birthday present for Dad settling the first earth colony on another planet the mysterious disappearance of a cake from the pantry

Select all that apply. Read the following description of a character. What you think the person is like? "I'm not sure I can do this," said Lonnie, "I've never even been to a banquet. And I got a D in public speaking, and even that was a—" He stopped in despair and stared hopelessly at his broken shoelace. Lonnie is _____.

discouraged shy

Classify the stated conflict. A man works hard on a pioneer farm, only to have his first crop threatened by grasshoppers.

external

Identify the point of view of the following sentence. I saw the bird crash into my windshield as I swerved the car.

first person

Select all that apply. Read the following description of a character. What you think the person is like? The young man jogged past the stand of eucalyptus trees, his whites quickly shedding the patterns of leafy shadows. A season of sunshine had gently warmed his tan complexion and had brightened his rich auburn hair. Passing by the slatted benches, he smiled encouragement to the elderly men eager to collect the memories of less weary days. As he approached the courts, his shouted greeting was answered by the high wave of his partner's racquet. The young man is _____.

friendly active

Prose Fiction

imaginary story written in ordinary language, without rhyme or meter

Syle

individual way of putting thoughts into word

Classify the stated conflict. A boy blinded in an accident is afraid to go out alone.

internal

Classify the stated conflict. A young woman has to choose between two careers.

internal

Read the following description of a setting for a short story and complete the sentence below. In dreams, I return each night to the cottage and smell again its sun-drenched pine walls and finger the shells left by the children long ago on the old porch table and listen once more to the sea.

likes to dwell in the past

Select all that apply. Read the following description of a character. What you think the person is like? In five minutes, Grandmother had hugged us, carried her own bags upstairs, straightened my blouse, sent Roger to wash his hands, whisked the dirty dishes off the table, and started to sing as she washed them. Grandmother is _____.

loving energetic cheerful

Tone

manner of speaking or writing that shows a certain attitude, including words, phrasing, and so on

Identify the point of view of the following sentence. Mason Bloom was a very old man when he first visited London.

third person

Identify the point of view of the following sentence. The purpose of diplomacy is the protection of a nation's interests abroad.

third person