Story Elements Review The building blocks of stories

Story Elements • In science, elements are the basic building blocks of all the substances in the world • In literature, story elements are the basic building blocks of any story • These story elements are essential to create a full story

Setting • The when and where of your story • In other words, the time and place

Setting: Time • Time of day • Time of year • Time in longer terms: • • • Past Present Future

Setting: Place • Geographic location • • • Geography Terrain Vegetation Animals Weather • Man-made geography • Interiors/exteriors of buildings • Man-made objects • Culture • Rules • Norms • Lifestyle

Mood/Atmosphere • The feeling of the story or scene • Pay attention to setting: • Weather/Temperature • Lighting • Descriptive words • Pay attention to events in the plot, too

Characterization • Characterization is the way in which an author creates a character’s personality • Direct • Explain exactly what the character is like. Reader does not have to infer. • Indirect • Author uses clues to indirectly characterize the character. Reader needs to infer based on the description. • • • Speech Thoughts Effect Actions Looks

Types of Characters • Protagonist • Most often the main character • The character we identify with and root for • Antagonist • Against the main character • This character makes life difficult for the protagonist • Supporting Characters • Not the main characters • Still play an important role in the story

Conflict • A problem in the story • Drives action in the plot and makes the plot more interesting • External • Happens outside of the character • Conflict between character and an outside force • Internal • Character vs. him/herself • The character is having a conflict inside their mind

Plot • Plot can be defined as the sequence of events in a story • Exposition: beginning, before conflict • Rising action: where action becomes more intense—compels characters to make a move • Climax: most intense moment in story • Falling action: action that resolves the conflict • Resolution: how it all ends

Topic/Theme • A topic is an important subject in a book—usually one word or phrase • Examples • • • Love Beauty Friendship • A theme is an important idea about real life that we can learn from the text • It is not always a lesson or moral, but it can be