Story Elements Flipbook Project

Student Notes

2. EQ: What are the different elements of a story? Why is it important to understand the author’s choice of how to structure a text?

Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram

Student Notes

Plot Diagram

2

1

3

4

5

1. Exposition• This usually occurs at the beginning of a

short story. • Here the characters & setting are introduced. • We are introduced to the main conflict (main

problem).

2. Rising Action• This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s) with

complications. • Complications are events that test the characters.• A building of interest or suspense occurs.• Suspense is the growing feeling of excitement/anxiety in a story – makes you

want to keep reading!

3. Climax• This is the turning point of the story – most exciting part

of the story. • Usually the main character comes face to face with a

conflict. • The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action• All loose ends of the

plot are tied up.

• All of the events that occur after the climax.

5. Resolution• The story comes to a reasonable ending.

• Conflict is resolved.

• Also called the denouement.

Putting It All Together1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

3. Climax

4. Falling Action

5. Resolution

Beginning of Story

Middle of Story

End of Story

Remember: The PLOT of a story moves like a roller coaster

Climax of the story is at the most exciting point

Rising Action/Excitement

builds

Falling Action

As you read: • What is the sequence (order) of events in the

plot?• What does the exposition tell the reader at the

start of the story?• What are the complications faced by characters

during the rising action?• What happens during the falling action of the

story?• What is the resolution at the end of the story?

Think about the story diagram as you read short stories.

Story Elements: Flip Book

You will need:

• 3 sheets of computer paper –A stapler

• Pencil/Pen

• Your brain

Let’s get started….follow me as I show you how to fold and staple your paper!

Story Elements: Flip Book

1. First Flap:

your name

Title:

Story Elements

Label each of the Story Elements Flaps like this….

This is what your 2nd Flap should look like:

Flap 2: Plot Diagram

Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story.

Title - Author

Story Elements: Flip Book

Flap 3:

Short Story Terms

Flap 3: Short story terms:

1. Exposition/introduction – beginning part of story, sets up story, explains

Setting – when/where story takes place

Character – people, animals, creatures, and sometimes things in a story

Flap 3: Short story terms:

2. Rising action – part of the story where complications are added – to test character

Suspense – a feeling of excitement/anxiety in a story

Complications – events that test characters in a story

Flap 3: Short story terms:

3. Climax – the most exciting part of the story

4. Falling action – events that occur after the climax

5. Resolution/dénouement - final part of a story where conflict is resolved

This is what your 3rd Flap should look like:

Story Elements: Flip Book

Flap 4:

Point Of View/Theme

Flap 4: Point of View/Theme:

Tone – author’s attitude towards subject

Mood – how the author makes the reader feel

Narrator – one telling the story

Point of view – perspective from which a story is told

First person – narrator tells story (part of story); uses pronouns - I, me, we

Flap 4: Point of View/Theme

Third Person (limited)-narrator is on outside of story – uses they, he, she, it, etc..; observing

Third Person (omniscient) – narrator sees all – even into characters’ minds – all knowing/God like

A little trick to remember Point of View…

Flap 4: Point of View/Theme

Foreshadowing – technique of hinting about what will eventually happen in story

Flashback – a interruption in the order of events in a story; usually for info; memories – not events

Theme –the message of a story; usually a life lesson

Story Elements: Flip Book

Flap 5:

Characters/

Conflict

Flap 5: Characters / Conflict:

Protagonist – the main character (hero)

Antagonist – one who opposes the main character (anti-hero)

Characterization – technique used by an author to create characters for the reader

Static character – a character that stays the same during a story

Flap 5: Characters / Conflict:

Dynamic character – a character that changes during a story

Flat character – a character that is one sided; usually a stereotype

Round character – a well-developed character with many faults and virtues

Motive: a character’s reason for doing/wanting something (usually causes the problem)

Conflict: when a character struggles with an opposing force (a problem)

Internal conflict – when a character struggles with forces inside himself/herself

External Conflict - when a character struggles with an outside force (another person, society, weather, natural events, etc…)

Flap 5: Characters / Conflict:

Types of conflict –

• Man vs. Man (External)

• Man vs. Society (External)

• Man vs. Nature (External)

• Man vs. Self (Internal)

Story Elements: Flip Book

Flap 6:

Genres/Symbols

Flap 6: Genres/Symbols:

Genre – term used to identify different types of literature

Biography – a story written about a person’s life

Autobiography – a story about a person’s life which is written by that person

Fantasy – a type of fiction that is highly imaginative and could not happen

Flap 6: Genres/Symbols

Science fiction – fiction that takes place in the future or in another galaxy/universe

Historical fiction - fiction that takes place in a factual historic setting; realistic for time

Realistic fiction – fiction that takes place in a realistic setting and could actually happen in the modern world

Flap 6: Genres/Symbols

Mystery – a type of fiction in which a puzzling event must be solved

Symbol – a thing that represents something other than itself – usually an idea

• Examples:

love

peace

Now, you should have the back of the flip book left to write your story choices elements…

Finally, your Flip Book should look like this:

Finally, your Story Back Flap should look like this: