The characters are the people who take part in the action of the story. As you read think about:
characters’ actions, thoughts, statements, and appearance;
how complex, or many-sided, they are;
whether characters learn something and if so, what they learn;
how their actions drive the plot;
how their experiences develop the theme.

The elements of a well-constructed short story combine to create one main effect.

Notice:
the feeling that accompanies the climax--horror, amusement, pity, and so on;
how the story impacts your understanding or view of a situation or character

The plot is the sequence of events. Plot events are driven by conflict, or struggle between opposing forces.

As you read, identify:
how the story begins and ends;
the main conflict and how events intensify;
breaks from chronological order, including flashbacks (shifts to the past) or foreshadowing (hints of future events);
how the conflict is resolved.

Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told.

As you read, determine:
whether the story is told from third-person omniscient, third-person limited, or first-person point of view;
how the point of view shapes the story, either by excluding certain information or by making certain information available.

The setting is the time and place of the story. It may simply be the backdrop against which actions take place, or it may be a crucial element of the conflict.

As you read, consider:

the conflict and where it takes place;
whether the setting affects what the characters say and do.

The theme, or insight, a story conveys may be reinforced by a symbol--an object or story element that stand for a larger idea.

Think about:


what the characters learn about themselves or life;
whether or not characters change;
whether elements in the story are treated as symbols, and if so, what they stand for.