1. Elements of Literature. What makes a good story?

2. Every good story has these elements:
Setting
Characters
Conflict
Point of View
Theme
5 stages of Plot
Exposition
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution

3. Plot elements of a good story through the classic “Cinderella” story.

4. Setting Setting is the time and place of the story’s action.
Setting often includes cultural ideas, customs, values, and beliefs.

5. The setting in “Cinderella”
The story takes place a long time ago in a land ruled by a king and a queen.

6. Characters
Characters are the actors in a story’s plot. They can be people, animals, or whatever the writer chooses.
The protagonist is the main character trying to resolve the main conflict.
The antagonist is the person against the main character.

7. Characters in “Cinderella”
Main characters are Cinderella and her step-mother.
Minor Characters include: the stepsisters, the fairy godmother and the prince.
Protagonist: Cinderella
Antagonist: the step mother

8. Theme
Theme is the central idea or message of a story. It is the lesson or moral the author teaches the reader.
Directly stated themes are presented in a story.
Implied themes must be inferred by considering what happens in the story and asking what message about life is conveyed.
Universal Themes are ones that are repeated across cultures through similar folk tales or stories.

9. Theme
The theme of “Cinderella” is implied. The reader can infer one or more themes from it.
One theme is that you should make the best of any situation and things will work out in the end.
Another might be, good triumphs over evil.
What other universal themes can you think of?

10. Plot
Plot is the sequence of events in a story. Each event causes or leads to the next.

11. Main Conflict in “Cinderella”
Problem: (Somebody)Cinderella (wanted)wants to go to the ball, but her stepmother prevents her from going by giving her more chores than she can complete so her fairy godmother helps her.
Conflict: The conflict is external—Cinderella versus her step mother. Man vs man conflict .
Using the Somebody Wanted But So
Strategy will help you summarize the problem of the story.
Somebody – main character
Wanted – what do they want
But – what prevents them from getting what they want
So – what happens to next to begin solving the problem.

12. The Five Stages of Plot
Exposition introduces the story’s characters, setting, and conflict. All 3 elements must be present. (Somebody Wanted But So)
Rising action: steps the characters take to move towards solving the conflict or struggle in the story, often includes foreshadowing and suspense. Rising action leads to the climax in the story.
Foreshadowing is the hint or clue of what might happen next in the story.
Suspense is the uncertainty or excitement in the story, often makes the reader curious about the outcome.

13. The Five Stages of Plot
Climax is the turning point of the story which marks the end of the conflict. The main problem is solved and outcome of plot is near.
Falling action is the stage of the plot when other issues are resolved the story begins to close. This stage comes after the main conflict is resolved and the tension begins to ease.
Resolution presents the final outcome of the story and wraps up the story.

14. Cinderella: Plot Diagram
CLIMAX
6. Cinderella dances with the prince,
but leaves hurriedly at midnight; losing a slipper
Setting: In a kingdom, a long time ago.
8.The stepsisters
try to force their
feet into the slipper.
It fits Cinderella.
4. A fairy godmother appears and provides Cinderella
with clothes, a coach, and footman.
1.Cinderella wanted to go the ball but her step mother wouldn’t allow her to go so her fairy god mother comes to help her
2. Cinderella does not have a dress to wear to the ball.
FALLING ACTION
9.Cinderella and
the prince marry.
10.The step sisters and stepmother live at the palace with Cinderella.
7,The prince
says he
will marry
the woman
whom the
slipper fits.
5. Cinderella goes to the ball.
3. The stepsisters go to the ball.
11. They lived happily
ever after.
EXPOSITION
RISING ACTION
RESOLUTION