B ASIC S TORY E LEMENTS Grade 8 English

This powerpoint should help introduce you to basic story elements. In every story there exists certain elements: Characters, Plot, Setting, and Themes. You will be introduced to each of these elements in detail with the hope that you will be able to use them effectively in creating an outline for a story of your own.

C HARACTERS Characters can be defined by any one of the following: Physical Appearance; Thoughts, Speech, and Actions; Other Characters; and the Narrator’s Comments.

P HYSICAL A PPEARANCE A character’s physical appearance can tell the reader a great deal about the character. When looking at a character keep in mind the following questions: What does the character look like? What are his or her expressions, gestures, or body language?

T HOUGHTS, S PEECH, AND A CTIONS A character’s words and actions can reveal his or her personality. Ask yourself: What does this character think, say, or do? How does he or she treat others? What kinds of things are important to him or her?

O THER C HARACTERS Other characters’ feelings or actions can also tell the reader a lot about a character. To find out how characters feel about one another ask: What does the character say about the other character? How do they treat each other?

N ARRATOR ’ S C OMMENTS Sometimes the narrator of a story will tell the reader directly specific information about a character. Ask yourself: What does the narrator say about the character? Does the narrator respect the character or criticize him or her?

P LOT A plot is the series of events in a story. The plot of a story usually focuses on a type of conflict. The plot also follows a certain pattern. This pattern consists of five stages: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, ad Resolution.

C ONFLICT A conflict is a struggle between two forces. It helps move the action along in a story. Conflict can be either external or internal.

E XTERNAL C ONFLICT External Conflict is a struggle between a character and an outside force. This force might be another characters, a group of characters, or a force existing in nature. Examples: A sea captain up against a deadly storm. A boxer facing an opponent. A girl having a fight with her friends.

I NTERNAL C ONFLICT Internal Conflict is a struggle within a character’s mind. This kind of conflict happens when a character must deal with opposing thoughts or feelings. Examples: Speak your mind or stay silent? Admit needing help or try it alone? Take a risk or play it safe?

P LOT P ATTERN Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

E XPOSITION The Exposition introduces the setting and the characters of a story. It also sets up or hints at the conflict.

R ISING A CTION The Rising Action shows how the conflict unfolds and becomes more complicated. It also helps build suspense in a story.

C LIMAX The Climax is the most exciting moment and the turning point of a story. The climax often results in a change for the main character.

F ALLING A CTION The Falling Action eases the suspense in a story. It reveals how the main character begins to resolve the conflict.

R ESOLUTION The Resolution ties up loose ends and brings the story to a close. It sometimes offers an unexpected twist before the story ends.

S ETTING Setting is the time and place of the action. The time might be the historical era, the season, or the time of day. The place might be a country, a neighbourhood, or a room. In many stories, setting affects the action and the character’s feelings.

S ETTING : T HE T IME When you are reading a story, ask yourself the following questions to determine the time: What historical period is it? What time of year is it? Is it summer, winter, fall? What time of day is it? Is it in the morning, the afternoon, or in the evening?

S ETTING : T HE PLACE When you are reading a story, ask yourself the following questions to determine the place: What country or city do the characters live in? Where do the characters live? In a house, an apartment, a condo? Where do the characters go in the story? To school, to the park, to the store, etc?

T HEMES A theme is the message about life that the writer wants you to understand. A story usually has at least one theme and sometimes more. By figuring out a theme, you can learn a little about human nature.

H OW TO F IND T HEMES Sometimes the theme is of a story is stated directly by the narrator or a character. Most often, though, a theme is implied – hinted at but not stated directly. You may need to infer the theme by finding clues in the text. The next few slides will give you some clues and questions that you will need to ask yourself when trying to find themes.

F INDING T HEMES - C LUE #1 The Title of the Story: The title of the story may reflect a story’s topic, its theme, or both. Ask: What does each word in the title mean? What ideas does the title emphasize?

F INDING T HEMES – C LUE #2 Plot: A story’s plot often revolves around a conflict that is important to the theme. Ask: What conflicts do the character’s face? How are the conflicts resolved?

F INDING T HEMES – C LUE #3 Characters: What characters do and learn can reflect a theme. Ask: What are the main characters like? (Analyze their speech, thoughts, and actions.) How do the characters respond to conflicts? How do the characters change? What lessons do the characters learn?

F INDING T HEMES – C LUE #4 Setting: A setting can suggest a theme because of what it means to the characters. Ask: How does the setting influence the characters? How does the setting affect the conflicts? What might the setting represent? (for example, a character’s childhood home might represent safety for him or for her.)