Elements of Short Story
Story Structure
Characters
Famous Last Words
Random Author Odds and Ends
100

A series of events in a story.

What is Plot

100

The highest point of interest/suspense in the story. It always involves the main characters and comes just before the resolution of the conflict.

What is Climax

100

Grouchy old coot in The Lottery

Who is Old Man Warner?

100

...and he knew evan is it slipped out of him that his luck had run out on the stage.

Who is the King of the Bingo Game?

100

Failed out of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Who is Edgar Allan Poe?

200

The time and place your story takes place.

What is Setting

200

This plot element may: 1. Give story a setting 2. Introduce the characters 3. Establish atmosphere 4. Create interest or suspense

What is Exposition

200
Last name of the married couple who bought an unusual radio? What were their first names? 

Who are the Westcotts? Jim and Irene?

200
"I feel fine," she said. "There's nothing wrong with me. I feel fine."


Author and title.

What is Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway?

200

Suffered from Lupus and died before the age of 40

Who is Flannery O'Connor?

300

A struggle between opposing forces.

What is Conflict

300

A series of incidents that cause suspense or interest.

What is Rising Action

300

Old lady who toughed out a long and grueling journey to the doctor in A Worn Path

Who is Phoenix Jackson?

300

Both stories: 


"...and then they were upon her."

"we saw a long strand of iron-gray hair."

What is The Lottery and A Rose for Emily?

300

Joined the Canadian Air Force but did not see action in World War One.  Faked a limp and a war injury when he returned home though. 

Who is William Faulkner?

400

A recurring idea or message the author wants the reader to consider.

What is a Theme

400

The crisis has been resolved and the story comes to a satisfying end.

What is Resolution?

400

 A Christian woman who helps young people learn the Bible, but in secret she performs magic ceremonies and attends witch meetings in the forest.

Who is Goody Cloyse? ( Young Goodman Brown)

400

"and they felt that they could be interpreters."

What is the Open Boat?

400

Two of our author's served as War Correspondents in World War Two. One "drifted through an array of odd jobs" that educated him about working people. The other stayed in Paris after the war recovering from his wounds and wrote for the Toronto Star.

Who are Steinbeck and Hemingway?

500

Hinting at future events in order to create suspense.

What is foreshadowing

500

the final unraveling of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel.

What is denouement?

500

First and Last name of the California farm couple who The Tinker visited.

Who are Elisa and Henry Allen?

500

"He was so simple," she said, "but I guess the world would be better off if we were all that simple...

"Some can't be that simple," she said. "I know I never could."

What is Good Country People?

500

Studied music at Tuskegee Institute in college.

Who is Ralph Ellison?

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