story elements

Story Elements

Reading Fiction

Types of Fiction

Short Stories

Novels

Novels

Involves a more complicated plotA longer piece of work

Short Stories

Usually revolves around a single ideaIs short enough to be read in one setting

What are the Key Elements of a Story?

Character Setting

ThemePlot

Tone and Point of View

CharactersMain characters-people, animals or imaginary creatures that take part in the story

Minor characters-the other less important characters, interact with the main characters

Motives- the characters’ emotions, desires and needs that prompt action

Traits- permanent qualities such as personality, looks, and how they react to situations

Characters

Setting

Time, location, and place in which the story occursIt can also include the customs and culture of timeSetting can play a role in the development of the story or character

Setting

Plot

Exposition- provides background for the story, characters are introduced, setting is describedRising Action-this is when the plots “thickens” the central conflict begins to unfoldClimax-the high point of the story with the greatest suspense, it can be a turning pointFalling Action (resolution)- occurs after the climax and resolves the conflict in the story

Plot

Theme

The meaning, moral, or message about life that the writer conveys to the readerUsually not stated in the story but are revealed in the title, important phrases, and character changes

Theme

Tone and Point of View

Who is telling the story? Is it a character, a narrator, or other outsider?1st Person- one of the characters is telling the story (I, me, my, mine)3rd Person- a narrator tell the story (he, she, they, them)

Limited- the narrator can only tell what is going on, cannot express thoughts in a character’s headOmniscient- the narrator knows everything

Tone and Point of View