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short STORY
A short story is a brief piece of fictional prose that has very specific components and it aims for a single unified effect achieved through a single episode or scene, minimal setting and focuses on only a few characters. Key elements of a story are plot, character, conflict, point of view, setting and theme and the purpose of the short story is to entertain, as well as to bring awareness to issues. In terms of this examination, the short story should be 400 to 450 words and it is worth 30 marks.
Plot
Freytag’s Pyramid
The plot of a story is the framework, or outline, of your story. It is the backbone of your story. A very basic plot usually contains an interesting beginning, rising action (setting + conflict), inciting incident, climax, falling action, and resolution. This particular sequential order is referred to as Freytag’s Pyramid.
Freytag’s Pyramid
The plot of a story is the framework, or outline, of your story. It is the backbone of your story. A very basic plot usually contains an interesting beginning, rising action (setting + conflict), inciting incident, climax, falling action, and resolution. This particular sequential order is referred to as Freytag’s Pyramid.
Flashback
Flashback is where the linear format of the story, Freytag’s Pyramid, is interrupted by flashes into the past, the purpose of which is to give greater understanding of the plot or a character. This interruption can occur at any stage of Freytag’s Pyramid, eliciting different effects. The recommended word count for the short story is 400-450 words, so it is best to insert the flashback at the exposition or climax. This will ensure that the readers have a clear understanding of the overall plot and heighten interest.
Flashback is where the linear format of the story, Freytag’s Pyramid, is interrupted by flashes into the past, the purpose of which is to give greater understanding of the plot or a character. This interruption can occur at any stage of Freytag’s Pyramid, eliciting different effects. The recommended word count for the short story is 400-450 words, so it is best to insert the flashback at the exposition or climax. This will ensure that the readers have a clear understanding of the overall plot and heighten interest.
Cliffhanger
Cliffhanger, like the Flashback, is where the linear format of the story, Freytag’s Pyramid, is interrupted. In the case of the Cliffhanger, there are very specific positions where it functions well. These positions are at the end of the rising action and at the end of the climax. The result of placing the flashback in these positions is that suspense is built and interest in the story is maintained.
Example
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Example: Freytag's Pyramid
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Example: Flashback
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Example: Cliffhanger
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Character
The characters are the individuals who populate your story. These 'individuals' can be people, animals, or objects. Your job, as the writer, is to bring these characters to life by ensuring that they are as relatable as possible to real-life people. Before you start your story, it is recommended that you consider the traits that you want your characters to possess. Are they cunning and evil, or smart and good? Or a mixture of both? Who will be the protagonist (the leading 'good' character) and the antagonist (the leading 'bad' character)? Please note that there can be grey areas, the protagonist does not have to be 100% good and the antagonist does not have to be 100% bad. This is where you start considering the types of characters that you need to enhance your plot. Your short story is expected to be 400 to 450 words, so you are restricted in the types of characters that you can use.
A few character types that can be useful in your story are a protagonist, antagonist, a foil and a deuteragonist. These are the very basic types that are appropriate for a short story because they provide the proper basic framework for a Freytag’s Pyramid plotline. Useful character types that you can consider applying to your character types are round, flat and stock characters. In this context, meaning the short length of your story, it is recommended that your protagonist be a round character.
The characters are the individuals who populate your story. These 'individuals' can be people, animals, or objects. Your job, as the writer, is to bring these characters to life by ensuring that they are as relatable as possible to real-life people. Before you start your story, it is recommended that you consider the traits that you want your characters to possess. Are they cunning and evil, or smart and good? Or a mixture of both? Who will be the protagonist (the leading 'good' character) and the antagonist (the leading 'bad' character)? Please note that there can be grey areas, the protagonist does not have to be 100% good and the antagonist does not have to be 100% bad. This is where you start considering the types of characters that you need to enhance your plot. Your short story is expected to be 400 to 450 words, so you are restricted in the types of characters that you can use.
A few character types that can be useful in your story are a protagonist, antagonist, a foil and a deuteragonist. These are the very basic types that are appropriate for a short story because they provide the proper basic framework for a Freytag’s Pyramid plotline. Useful character types that you can consider applying to your character types are round, flat and stock characters. In this context, meaning the short length of your story, it is recommended that your protagonist be a round character.
Conflict
Conflict is literally a disagreement. Every story needs a disagreement to be exciting and to add drama. This conflict can be man versus man. This is where two or more people have a verbal or physical disagreement. The second option is man versus himself. This is where the character is trying to make a decision, so he/ she is in disagreement with self, they have several options to consider that might be disadvantageous or advantageous to them, or it might be morally wrong. A third option is man versus nature. To execute this type of conflict, a natural disaster is required in your plot and your character(s) needs to be trying to survive it. Finally, there is man versus society, where the character is on the wrong side of the law or popular societal view.
Conflict is literally a disagreement. Every story needs a disagreement to be exciting and to add drama. This conflict can be man versus man. This is where two or more people have a verbal or physical disagreement. The second option is man versus himself. This is where the character is trying to make a decision, so he/ she is in disagreement with self, they have several options to consider that might be disadvantageous or advantageous to them, or it might be morally wrong. A third option is man versus nature. To execute this type of conflict, a natural disaster is required in your plot and your character(s) needs to be trying to survive it. Finally, there is man versus society, where the character is on the wrong side of the law or popular societal view.
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Point of View
The point of view (POV) is the perspective from which your story is told. There are three possible perspectives that you can choose from: first person, third person limited, or the omniscient narrator. The first-person narrator can only reflect on what they see and experience and is characterized by the use of the "I". The third-person limited narrator, on the other hand, is an unintrusive narrator who comments on the events of the story from outside of the story. This narrator is usually focused on the major characters, like the protagonist and antagonist, but they do, at times comment on minor characters. This narrator's voice is characterized by the use of the terms "they", "them", 'him" or "she". The omniscient narrator, in contrast, is the one who sees all and comments on everything. This narrator knows everything about the events and thoughts of every character in the story. The perspective that you choose to use shapes how your readers experience your story, therefore, choose your perspective based on the experience that you want to give them.
The point of view (POV) is the perspective from which your story is told. There are three possible perspectives that you can choose from: first person, third person limited, or the omniscient narrator. The first-person narrator can only reflect on what they see and experience and is characterized by the use of the "I". The third-person limited narrator, on the other hand, is an unintrusive narrator who comments on the events of the story from outside of the story. This narrator is usually focused on the major characters, like the protagonist and antagonist, but they do, at times comment on minor characters. This narrator's voice is characterized by the use of the terms "they", "them", 'him" or "she". The omniscient narrator, in contrast, is the one who sees all and comments on everything. This narrator knows everything about the events and thoughts of every character in the story. The perspective that you choose to use shapes how your readers experience your story, therefore, choose your perspective based on the experience that you want to give them.
Theme
The theme is the word or phrase that you formulate to define what your story is about, it is the message, idea or insight that dominates your story. For example, you could be writing a story about friendship or love. When your story is read, the theme should be apparent. In the context of the exam that you are sitting, the theme that you choose to explore in your writing should mirror, or be appropriate in relation to the prompt that you are given. Therefore, you can think of the theme, in this context, as your commentary on the prompt that you are given by the examiner.
The theme is the word or phrase that you formulate to define what your story is about, it is the message, idea or insight that dominates your story. For example, you could be writing a story about friendship or love. When your story is read, the theme should be apparent. In the context of the exam that you are sitting, the theme that you choose to explore in your writing should mirror, or be appropriate in relation to the prompt that you are given. Therefore, you can think of the theme, in this context, as your commentary on the prompt that you are given by the examiner.
Checklist for Story Writing
1. Exposition:
(a) Ensure that it starts with an interesting beginning, where you try to use a literary device. This should be 1 to 2 sentences in length.
(b) Progress into a description of the setting, using literary devices to describe sights, sounds, smells, the feel of objects and, where necessary, smells. This should be at least 5 to 6 sentences.
(c) Move smoothly into the issue/ problem/ conflict, which could simply be stating an underlying. This is the point at which you identify your conflict; man versus man, man versus society, man versus nature, or man versus himself. Your conflict must reflect one of these options. This can be 2 to 3 sentences.
2. Inciting incident:
(a) In 1 to 2 sentences, describe the new incident that starts the conflict that defines your story.
3. Rising Action:
This is the point at which you explore bad decisions that are made by the protagonist and antagonist, based on the inciting incident. The length of this section can be as detailed as you want it to be and it must lead into the climax.
4. Climax:
Using at least 6 to 8 sentences, describe the climax. It cannot be a retelling, but a description, using literary devices that describe what the characters see, hear, smell, feel, or taste, during their experience. Use the 5 senses to lengthen this section of the story.
5. Falling Action:
This section of your story does not have to be lengthy, but it does have to start the process of ‘wrapping up’ the climax. So, in about 4 to 5 sentences, describe how the climax affected everyone involved. This should be leading to the resolution of the story.
6. Resolution:
In 2 to 3 sentences, show what happened to the characters because of the climax.
7. Point of View:
Ensure that you stick to one point of view, do not mix them.
8. If you decide to interrupt Freytag’s Pyramid by inserting a flashback or cliffhanger, ensure that you insert them in the recommended sections of the pyramid.
9. Use dialogue sparingly, only to highlight characterization, setting, or conflict.
1. Exposition:
(a) Ensure that it starts with an interesting beginning, where you try to use a literary device. This should be 1 to 2 sentences in length.
(b) Progress into a description of the setting, using literary devices to describe sights, sounds, smells, the feel of objects and, where necessary, smells. This should be at least 5 to 6 sentences.
(c) Move smoothly into the issue/ problem/ conflict, which could simply be stating an underlying. This is the point at which you identify your conflict; man versus man, man versus society, man versus nature, or man versus himself. Your conflict must reflect one of these options. This can be 2 to 3 sentences.
2. Inciting incident:
(a) In 1 to 2 sentences, describe the new incident that starts the conflict that defines your story.
3. Rising Action:
This is the point at which you explore bad decisions that are made by the protagonist and antagonist, based on the inciting incident. The length of this section can be as detailed as you want it to be and it must lead into the climax.
4. Climax:
Using at least 6 to 8 sentences, describe the climax. It cannot be a retelling, but a description, using literary devices that describe what the characters see, hear, smell, feel, or taste, during their experience. Use the 5 senses to lengthen this section of the story.
5. Falling Action:
This section of your story does not have to be lengthy, but it does have to start the process of ‘wrapping up’ the climax. So, in about 4 to 5 sentences, describe how the climax affected everyone involved. This should be leading to the resolution of the story.
6. Resolution:
In 2 to 3 sentences, show what happened to the characters because of the climax.
7. Point of View:
Ensure that you stick to one point of view, do not mix them.
8. If you decide to interrupt Freytag’s Pyramid by inserting a flashback or cliffhanger, ensure that you insert them in the recommended sections of the pyramid.
9. Use dialogue sparingly, only to highlight characterization, setting, or conflict.
Media
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Elements of Prose
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Short Story in 7 Steps
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Literary Devices
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Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
Reference:
Caribbean Examination Council. CSEC English Syllabus Amended 2026 for exams 2027. https://cxc-store.com
https://www.britannica.com/art/short-story
https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-short-stories/
https://writers.com/freytags-pyramid
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-flashback
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2020/04/27/how-to-write-a-perfect-cliff-hanger/
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-all-the-types-of-characters-in-literature
https://storyempire.com/2025/10/09/understanding-point-of-view-in-writing-first-second-and-third-person/
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/third-person-omniscient-narration-guide
Reference:
Caribbean Examination Council. CSEC English Syllabus Amended 2026 for exams 2027. https://cxc-store.com
https://www.britannica.com/art/short-story
https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-short-stories/
https://writers.com/freytags-pyramid
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-flashback
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2020/04/27/how-to-write-a-perfect-cliff-hanger/
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-all-the-types-of-characters-in-literature
https://storyempire.com/2025/10/09/understanding-point-of-view-in-writing-first-second-and-third-person/
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/third-person-omniscient-narration-guide
