Short Story Elements
The opening paragraphs focus on the physical layout of the town, the abandoned factory, and a rule that no one leaves home after 9 p.m.
What element is primarily being developed?
Setting
During the group project, she told him his section “looked good.” When the teacher returned the draft with corrections, she rewrote his entire portion herself without asking him.
What does this suggest about her opinion of his work?
Inadequate / Unsatisfied
The word “silent” appears five times in a single page during the climax, even though other descriptive words are available.
What deliberate choice is the author making?
Repetition
A paragraph states:
“Social pressure influences the protagonist’s decisions.”
No quote follows.
Which step is missing?
Evidence
“The silence wrapped itself around the room.”
What device is used?
Personification
A student debates whether to report a friend’s cheating, knowing that the truth could cost them their friendship.
What type of conflict drives the story?
Internal Conflict
He says he “isn’t worried” about the exam. That night, he studies for three hours, sets two alarms, and arrives at school twenty minutes early.
What does this reveal about his true mindset?
Concerned / Anxious
A character says, “I’m fine.” The narration immediately describes their hands shaking and their voice breaking.
What does this reveal about the statement?
Insincerity / Lying
A paragraph includes a quote from the text but immediately moves to the next idea without breaking it down.
Which step is missing?
Explain
“He stood there like a statue, unmoving despite the chaos.”
What device is used?
Simile
Two friends compete for the same scholarship. As the deadline approaches, their private thoughts reveal jealousy, even when they act supportive in public.
What type of conflict shapes both their relationship and internal thoughts?
External Conflict: 150pts
Character vs. Character: 300pts
The team captain publicly praises everyone equally. In private, she consistently assigns the most important tasks to the same two players and excludes others from decision-making.
What does this reveal about her leadership style?
Favouritism / Bias
The story slows dramatically during the confrontation, describing each movement in detail rather than summarizing events quickly.
What does this slow pacing increase?
Tension / Suspense
A paragraph begins with a quote from the story, but never states the writer’s main idea.
Which step is missing?
Point
“The hallway became a pressure chamber as the crowd pressed inward.”
What device is used?
Metaphor
A community must obey new restrictions limiting speech and movement, even though no single villain is visible.
What type of conflict is shown?
Character vs. Society
The school announces that students voted in favour of the new dress code. However, only one proposal was presented, and alternative suggestions were removed before voting began.
What describes this voting process?
Manipulation / Rigged / Unfair
A side character is barely mentioned throughout the story but suddenly delivers a crucial line during the climax that shifts the protagonist’s decision.
What does this strategic placement make the line feel?
Pivotal / Important
A paragraph clearly states its point, includes a quote, and explains the quote. However, it never reconnects to the overall argument about conformity.
Which step is missing?
Link
“I’ve written a thousand drafts of this essay and none of them are good enough.”
What device is used?
Hyperbole
In the climax, the protagonist survives the physical challenge of climbing the mountain. However, the final paragraph reveals that their deeper fear of failure remains unresolved and continues to shape their decisions.
What type of conflict still remains at the end?
What is internal conflict?
No rule forbids questioning the principal. However, whenever a student raises concerns in class, the teacher immediately redirects the conversation and reminds everyone that “attitudes affect report cards.” After a few weeks, no one speaks up.
What is shaping student behaviour?
Fear / Punishment
“Every evening, the screens lit up with reminders of what to watch, what to think, and what to ignore. The citizens claimed they were more connected than ever, though most conversations ended in silence as glowing notifications replaced human voices.”
What is the author primarily critiquing?
Technology
A paragraph includes a clear point, strong evidence, and a thoughtful explanation. The next paragraph begins with a completely unrelated idea and no transition.
Which structural move is missing between the paragraphs?
Link
The city advertises its surveillance system as “a gift of freedom,” while it tracks citizens’ movements and conversations.
What device exposes the contradiction between the claim and reality?
Irony