Story Elements

Character A person who is involved in the plot of a literary work. Characteristics: Usually one or two main characters experience a problem or conflict At the turning point, the character must make a choice which will determine whether he/she succeeds or fails in resolving a problem or conflict. Character grows/changes as a result of experiences in the story.

Characteristics/Traits In order for a story to seem real to the reader, its characters must seem real.  Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves.  The author may reveal a character in several ways: a) appearance- what the character looks like b) actions - what the character does c) dialogue - what the character says d) thoughts - what the character thinks about e) reactions of other characters to them

Plot The main story of a literary work. The thread of situations/sequence of events that occur in the story. A plot always: Begins with a problem or conflict experienced by the main character Builds to a turning point (will the main character succeed or fail?) Ends with the resolution of the problem/conflict

Parts of Plot

Setting The time, place, mood and atmosphere in which the literary work occurs. Characteristics of Setting: Sometimes very important to the story. Example: if related to problem/conflict, as in historical fiction and survival stories. Sometimes could be anywhere or anytime (“the present”)

Examples of Setting place- geographical location.  Where is the action of the story taking place? time- When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc) weather conditions- Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? mood or atmosphere- What feeling is created at the beginning of the story?  Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

Conflict Conflict is essential to plot and without conflict, there is no plot.  It is a problem/struggle that occurs in a story. Conflict is not limited to arguments; it is any form of opposition that faces the main character.

Theme The main idea of a literary work; the author’s message. Characteristics of theme: The ideas the author wants to reader to think about when the story is over. What the author wants us to learn about life from the main character’s experiences