Short Story Elements: Definitions Play these concentration, matching, and flashcard games to review the definitions for the test. Tools A B Plot Sequence of events Conflict Struggle between opposing forces Introduction First stage of plot Problem Second stage of plot Development Third stage of plot Climax Fourth stage of plot Resolution Fifth stage of plot Internal Least popular "flavor" of conflict External Most popular "flavor" of conflict Setting Time and place of the action Character A person or animal who takes part in the action Major character Focus of the story's attention Minor character Helps the action move along Protagonist Hero of the story Antagonist Villain of the story Narrator Speaker who is telling the story 3rd person narrator "He enjoys skiing." 1st person narrator "I love banana splits." Character traits How the author makes a character seem believable Theme Central message in a story Direct theme The author tells you the message Implied theme You have to figure out the theme