5 Key Elements of a Short Story: Essential Tips for Writers

• Apr 28, 2025
• 5 min read

• Tags: Fiction Writing, Short Story, Writing Tips

Writers like Anton Chekhov, O. Henry, Alice Munro, and Tobias Wolff are all big names in the short story genre.  Ever wonder how these writers craft such remarkable stories? They are the true masters at combining the five elements of a short story: plot, character, setting, conflict, and theme.

These five elements make short stories the best starting point for novice writers. They’re short and fairly simple, so the writer can focus on the plot, character, and theme. Short stories also allow writers to see their writing flourish as a piece of fiction— a great confidence boost! Additionally, short stories serve as an excellent training ground for new writers, helping them develop unique skills and methods specific to this literary form.

If you wish to write stories worth publishing, you must understand the characteristics of a short story. To help you get there, we have shared these five short story elements in this blog.

How do the five elements of a short story work? How can you naturally include them in your stories? Also, how can you tie them up to create one coherent narrative?

What are short stories?

A short story is a brief narrative that typically has a specific goal or theme. Unlike novels, which have the luxury of time and space to develop intricate plots and subplots, short stories must convey their message quickly and efficiently. This brevity often results in a more intense and focused narrative, making every word count. The key elements of a short story—characters, conflict, and themes—must be introduced and developed within a limited word count, often between 5,000 and 10,000 words

Here are the five key elements of a short story:

1. Plot
2. Character
3. Setting
4. Conflict
5. Theme

Let’s take a closer look at these elements and figure out how you should use them in a short story.

Five key elements of a short story

1. Plot

A simple way to define a plot is to call it a sequence of events in your narrative. It is a cause-and-effect chain of events with a beginning point, a climax, and a resolution. A strong plot means you have a captivating narrative ready to enthrall your audience.

Writers use the plot to map their stories before beginning their writing process. For fiction writing, this serves as a creative outline. So, understanding the plot is crucial to crafting a compelling narrative and making it impactful.

The sequence of events in a plot is tied to the central conflict in a story. The plot develops as the protagonist struggles with their given problem, driven by the characters’ goals, finds a solution, and eventually accepts the results.

Six succinct stages of a plot

1. Exposition: An introduction to the characters, setting, and conflict, providing all the necessary background information of a story.

2. Opening incident:  This is the incident that leads the main character to conflict and sets the stage for or opens the plot.

3. Rising action:  The conflict develops and brings newer and more complicated incidents, leading to the climax.

4. Climax: The conflict reaches a peak, which then leads to a change in the course of events, giving the reader a new understanding of the story either through an event or an insight. The climax often revolves around the major conflict the protagonist must confront.

5. Falling action: The conflict gets resolved, and the action slows down.

6. Resolution: The conflict ends, leaving the reader fulfilled. 

Plot as a short story element

Often, plots in short stories are simple but end up delivering great suspense, followed by a grand moment of revelation. For this reason alone, the plot was once considered the most important of all the five elements of a short story.It means it was seen as the key element of a short story.

Modern short stories, however, are often focused on the nuances of character and setting, so the plot becomes secondary. Nevertheless, a plot is the spine of any given narrative, so it still features first in our study of the short story elements!

Every paragraph, every sentence, and every word should lead the reader closer to the climax. Cut anything that doesn’t serve this purpose. Short stories give you a very small space to work with, so brevity becomes important. Hence, planning your short story structure well matters! Sometimes, the resolution of a short story can introduce a new conflict or question for the reader, leading to further engagement.

Some techniques to add more kick to your story are creating suspense, foreshadowing, narrating flashbacks, and a short story staple, the surprise ending.

2. Character

Your characters are the people, animals, or other figures who appear in your stories. They perform actions and say dialogue to move the story along. A story cannot be told without main characters, as they are crucial in driving the narrative and engaging the readers.

Depending on how you see it, a character can be classified as either round or flat, dynamic or static, a protagonist or an antagonist. For a short story, well-rounded and dynamic characters will be your strength.

The easiest way to write interesting characters is to make sure that they have a flaw. Internal conflicts, such as doubt and fear, can serve as significant obstacles for characters. Always keep in mind that in any story, perfect characters fall flat.

Writing characters for short stories

Be careful that you don’t put too much emphasis on character traits and backstory. Unlike novels, characters in a short story are only glimpsed at, rather than seen in the round.

You may say that the characteristics of a short story are abbreviated versions of the same in novels. So, short stories will feature only two or three major characters, while novels can boast a dozen!

Short stories can be great character studies, but a good rule of thumb is to focus on dialogue and action. A deeper understanding of human nature can inform how characters evolve in short stories.

3. Setting

Ever felt transported to another world while reading a short story? That’s the work of a writer who can imagine and write a whole other world into being.

This element of a short story is crucial in making it real to the reader. The setting establishes a time, place, and environment in which the characters and events of the story are based. It also helps explore themes related to the human condition, engaging the reader by delving into complex aspects of life and human interactions.

Aspects of setting:

1. Time: A story is usually set in a time period. This includes the historical time of the story, its specific time frame, and even the time of day when the events take place.

2. Place: Place is the geographical landscape, real or imaginary, where a particular story unfolds.

3. Environment: The environment of a story can include anything from weather conditions to the social, cultural, and political backdrop to a given story. It can also reflect the characters’ internal struggles and human nature, adding depth to their development.

For example, Guy de Maupassant’s short story The Necklace takes place during the 19th century in the city of Paris and has the environmental backdrop of class differences in French society.

Like the main conflict of class difference in The Necklace, all other characteristics of a short story derive from its setting. When well-designed, this can also help set up the dominant emotional tone. Of course, it takes a significant amount of research to deliver a setting both beautifully and believably.

4. Conflict

Conflict is closely linked to the theme of a narrative, as it motivates the characters and affects the plot. It usually surfaces when the protagonist (main character) faces an obstacle or hardship. Conflict forms “the heartbeat of a story”, so your story needs to have a defining conflict, both internal and external, to impact the reader’s mind.

There are two main types of conflict: internal conflict and external conflict. Internal conflicts, such as personal struggles, can hinder characters’ growth and goals.

Types of conflict

1. Internal conflict is a person’s struggle with themselves. It takes place inside the psyche of a character, such as Hamlet’s conflicted state of mind about how to take revenge for his father’s murder.

2. External conflict takes place between different people or groups of people. It is possible to further divide this type of conflict based on who or what the protagonist(s) are struggling against, often involving an antagonist who directly opposes the protagonists’ goals.

For example, the conflict in A Game of Thrones is between kingdoms, but also between people and the supernatural elements of the fantasy world.

Regardless of the type of conflict you choose, making it believable will hold the reader’s attention. Various literary devices like mystery, causality, empathy, surprise, insight, universality, or simply high stakes for the character, all add a different dimension of conflict to the plot. Conflict drives your story and makes it interesting.

5. Theme

A theme is what children would call the moral of the story. It can be the subject of the story, an idea that runs through it, or simply the message that is conveyed from the writer to the reader through the short story. The writer can use all the other characteristics of a short story to best articulate their theme into words. Various story elements contribute to a cohesive narrative, guiding writers on how to effectively conclude their own story.

A well-told story, the kind that gets published or made into a film, explains itself. For example, while reading O. Henry’s short story The Gift of the Magi, you can easily understand that the story is about the value of love and sacrifice. In this way, the theme is implied rather than stated explicitly, and it is up to the writer’s skill to best convey it through their writing.

Short story examples

Short stories can be steered in any direction based on a writer’s judgment. It means a writer can explore various narratives, experiment with different ideas, and introduce twists to take readers on a different journey (or, maybe, even a detour).  

Let us quickly see some examples of short stories in this section.

The Forgotten Key

Alicia rummaged through the drawer in a frenzy, her fingers trembling with urgency. She could not believe she had lost the key again—the small, silver one that opened the attic door. It wasn’t just any attic; it held her grandmother’s old chest, rumored to contain secrets of their family’s past. Just when she was about to give up, a tiny glint caught her eye beneath a stack of old postcards. She hesitated, pulled the postcards away, and there it was—the key. With a sigh of relief, she grabbed it and hurried upstairs, her heart pounding with anticipation for what she was about to uncover.

The Last Train Home

The station was eerily quiet as Mark sat on the cold, metal bench, his suitcase beside him. The last train of the night was delayed, and the flickering lights above cast unsettling shadows. He could still feel the weight of his decision, leaving everything behind—his job, his city, and even his old friends. As he watched the mist rolling in along the tracks, he wondered if the new life awaiting him would be any different or if he was simply running in circles. The distant horn of the approaching train broke his thoughts, and with a deep breath, he stood up, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Point of view: Choosing the right narrative for your short story

Selecting the appropriate narrative perspective is a crucial decision while crafting a short story. The point of view (POV) not only shapes the reader’s experience but also influences how the story’s elements—plot, character, setting, conflict, and theme—are perceived and interwoven. 

Renowned short story writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Ernest Hemingway, and Alice Munro have mastered the art of choosing the right POV to enhance their storytelling. They have been able to make their narratives both engaging and memorable by mastering the POV.

There are several narrative perspectives to consider, each offering unique advantages and challenges:

1. First-person POV: The first-person perspective allows readers to experience the story through the eyes of a character, often the protagonist. It creates intimacy and immediacy, drawing readers into the character’s internal world. However, it can also limit the narrative to the character’s knowledge and biases.
2. Second-person POV: Less common in short stories, the second-person perspective addresses the reader directly as “you”, creating an immersive and sometimes disorienting experience. It can be effective for experimental or interactive storytelling but may be challenging to sustain over a longer narrative.
3. Third-person POV: It offers a more objective view of the story than other perspectives, allowing the narrator to observe and describe events from outside the characters’ minds. There are two main variations within third-person POV:

• • • Third-person omniscient: With this POV, the narrator has unlimited knowledge and can access the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. This POV provides a broad perspective. It allows the exploration of various viewpoints. However, it can also feel distant or detached, making it challenging to relate to individual characters on a personal level.
    • Third-person limited: This narrator focuses on the thoughts and feelings of a single character. It creates a sense of connection and empathy, but it can also limit the reader’s understanding of other characters and events.

Writing your first draft

When writing your first draft, it’s essential to have a clear idea of the story’s purpose and message. Start by brainstorming and developing your characters, conflict, and themes. Consider the main character’s goals and motivations, as well as the external conflict that drives the plot. Think about the story’s setting, including the physical location and time period, and how it contributes to the overall atmosphere.

Use first-person pronouns, third-person pronouns, or second-person pronouns to create a unique narrative voice. Each perspective offers different advantages: the first person can provide intimacy, the third person can offer a broader view, and the second person can create an immersive experience. As you write, focus on creating dynamic and interesting characters that will captivate your readers. Ensure that your narrative is compelling and that it draws readers in from the very first sentence.

Common mistakes to avoid

When writing short stories, there are several common mistakes to avoid. One of the most significant errors is failing to create a clear main conflict or internal conflict that drives the plot. Without a strong conflict, the story can feel aimless and unengaging. Another mistake is not developing the main character’s character arcs or neglecting to include supporting characters who add depth and dimension to the narrative.

Avoid using overly complex sentence structures or word choices that may confuse readers. Clarity is key in short fiction. Additionally, be mindful of the story’s tone and atmosphere, ensuring that it aligns with the genre, whether it’s science fiction, supernatural elements, or modern day. Finally, don’t forget to proofread your work carefully to avoid errors in punctuation, grammar, and spelling. A polished story is more likely to captivate and retain readers.

Now that you know how to craft a brilliant short story with the 5 elements of a short story and the 6 stages of a plot, you can experiment and create memorable masterpieces. After you write a short story, the next step is to ensure they are edited well. 

If editing is not your strength, consider our story editing services. Editors at PaperTrue will ensure you have a well-structured short story ready for publication in time. 

Here are some related articles that you might find interesting:

Found this article helpful?

240

40

Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.