The video below introduces the 5 basic elements to short stories:

Plot

Characters

Conflict

Theme

Setting

When you're planning your story today...

  • make sure you can identify what's the beginning, middle, and end of the plot
  • who is in the story (keep your characters limited to 5 or less- it's a short story)
  • what is the problem?
  • what theme is your focus? (this is the most difficult so the next page has a good list to look at)
  • where does the story take place?

 

Check out this video for some clues as to what each part of your plan will identify.