“A plot is a series of events deliberately arranged so as to reveal their dramatic, thematic, and emotional significance” – Jane Burroway.
Understanding these necessary story elements for developing actions will help you plot your short story composition.
- Attention Getter or “Hook.” A thrilling, gripping, stirring event or problem that grabs the reader’s attention right away.
- Conflict. A character showing the internal dilemma or an external confrontation with someone.
- Complication. One or more problems that keep a character from his intended goal.
- Mood. Dialogue, feelings and thoughts of the main character.
- Climax. When the rising action of the story reaches the peak.
- Falling Action. When the conflict in the story is being resolved.
- Resolution. When the character reflects on the theme and lesson learnt.