ELEMENTS OF A STORY

5 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A STORY

Setting – The time and place a story takes place.

Characters – the people, animals or creatures in a story.

Plot – the series of events that make up a story.

Conflict – a problem or struggle between two people, things or ideas.

Resolution- The solution to the problem

SETTING

The setting describes Time, Place, and the Atmosphere that the story takes place.

Why is setting essential???

It helps build background and create images in the mind.

It helps set the tone or mood of the story.

Details can describe: Time of day, Time of year, Time in History, Scenery, Weather, and Location

SETTING

A good setting helps the reader visualize the places in the story.

A good author includes descriptions of the setting using the five senses…

SIGHT

SMELL

TASTE

FEEL

SOUND

SETTING ACTIVITY 1

Activity

Close your eyes and listen as I read the first passage.

After listening, I want you to draw the setting that was described.

Close your eyes and listen as I read the second passage.

After listening, I want you to draw the setting that was described.

Summarize:

In the first sentence I want you to state the passage that you think is best. In 2 sentences I want you to argue why you think that passage is the best stating specific reasons. In one sentence I want you to explain one thing you learned about setting or why setting is essential to a story.

SETTING ACTIVITY 1

Passage 1: The castle was beside the water.

Passage 2: The waves crashed loudly against the shoreline. The fog lifted lightly and the medieval castle came into view. It was a beautiful site! The fog brushed my face and I could smell the smoke from the fire in the distance and taste the sea salt on my lips

SETTING EXTENSION 1

Select a picture and write about the setting. Be sure to include descriptions that appeal to the 5 senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell

CHARACTERS

People, animals or creatures that are in a novel, play, or movie

Characters can be identified as the protagonist or antagonist

Protagonist: “the good guy” Antagonist: “The bad guy”

CHARACTER ACTIVITY 1

Group 1: Think of a Character that is a Protagonist. • Write their name• Write down what makes them the protagonist

Group 2: Think of a Character that is an Antagonist. • Write their name• Write down what makes them the antagonist

CHARACTERSCharacterization is the way in which an author shows the personality of a character. Characterization is a technique writers use to make characters “come to life.”

Honest Excited Bright Unselfish Humble Ambitious

Light hearted Studious Courageous Self Confident

Friendly Able

Leader Inventive Serious Respectful Short Quiet

Expert Creative Funny Considerate Adventurous Curious

Brave Thrilling Humorous Imaginative Hard Working Reserved

Conceited Independent Sad Busy Timid Pleasing

Mischievous Intelligent Poor Patriotic Shy Bossy

Demanding Compassionate

Rich Fun Loving Bold Witty

Thoughtful Gentle Tall Popular Daring Fighter

Keen Proud Dark Successful Dainty Tireless

Happy Wild Light Responsible Pitiful Energetic

Disagreeable Messy Handsome Lazy Cooperative Cheerful

Simple Neat Pretty Dreamer Lovable Smart

Fancy Joyful Ugly Helpful Prim Impulsive

Plain Strong Selfish Simple Minded

Proper Loyal

CHARACTERS The author can explain the characters traits in one of 2 ways

Direct Characterization: A writer directly tells the reader the personality of the character.

Example: Freddy was very competitive

Example: The patient boy and the quiet girl were both well behaved and did not disobey their mother.

Or

Indirect Characterization A writer shows things that reveal the personality of the character using Speech, Thought, Effect on Others, Actions, Looks

Example: Two days before the game, Freddy gathered his teammates and laid out his plan. Then he looked at them and said, “We are going to win this one. No excuses.”

Example: The boy sat next to his sister as she poked him and teased him. He did not react. He carefully picked up her doll from the floor and placed it on her lap saying gently, “Here you go, why don’t you play with your doll?”

CHARACTERS ACTIVITY 2

Students will analyze character traits. For each trait students will do the following.

 

Define the term trait.

Describe a character that posses the trait using Direct Characterization

Describe a character that posses the trait using Indirect Characterization

CHARACTER EXTENSION 1

Character Traits Worksheets

CHARACTERS

Character Motivation is the driving force behind why the character does what he/she does. (Reasons for character’s actions)

What does the main character want more than anything else (main goal)?

CHARACTERS EXTENSION 2 Group 1:

Create and write at least one paragraph about a protagonist* What is the characters name? * What preceding events led to this character being created? How did this character come about? * Use direct or indirect characterization to describe the character? * List the character traits* What does he/she want?* What does he/she need?* What is his/her motivation?* What does he/she do to get what they need?* How does the character change during the movie, book or TV show?

Group 2: Create and write at least one paragraph about an antagonist

* What is the characters name? * What preceding events led to this character being created? How did this character come about? * Use direct or indirect characterization to describe the character? * What does he/she want?* What does he/she need?* What is his/her motivation?* What does he/she do to get what they need?* How does the character change during the movie, book or TV show?

PLOT Plot - the events that take place in a story. Every story needs a plot! The plot has different “parts…”

Exposition: the start of the story, before the action starts

Rising Action: the series of events and conflicts in the story that lead to the climax

Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action

Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax

Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

Plot Components

PLOT

Special Techniques of Plot

Suspense- excitement or tension

Flashback- interrupts the normal sequence of events to tell about something that happened in the past

Foreshadowing- A hint of what will happen next

PLOT ACTIVITY 1 We will read the lyrics to a song and listen to a song.

Once we have finished reading, fill out the plot diagram for the story.

PLOT EXTENSION 1

With a partner, select a song

- You will print the lyrics of the song

- You will complete the plot graphic organizer on a piece of construction paper.

- Make notes of any foreshadowing, flashback, or suspense

- You and your partner will present your song and plot diagram

CONFLICT Conflict is the “battle” /Struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

Conflict isn’t always bad.. sometimes it helps to create change.

Types of ConflictCharacter vs Character

Character vs Nature

Character vs Society

Character vs Self

Character vs Technology

Character vs Supernatural

Types Of Conflict…a deeper look1.Character vs. Character(problem with another

character)

3. Character vs. Society(problem with the laws or beliefs of a group)(character vs. community, society or culture)

2. Character vs. Nature

(problem with force of nature)

4. Character vs. Self (problem with deciding what

to do or think; “inner conflict”) 5. Character vs.

Technology (problems with technology) 6. Character vs.

Supernatural (battle is against something he

cannot control. Such as time or fate, or the gods.)

CONFLICT ACTIVITY 1

Conflict Worksheets

CONFLICT EXTENSION 1

What’s a well-known movie or novel that has…

Character vs. Character Conflict

Character vs. Nature Conflict

Character vs. Society

Character vs. Self

RESOLUTION

Resolution: The solution to the problem

Elements of the Resolution1. Rewarding the protagonist for making the hard choice, for self-sacrificing2. Punishing the protagonist for acting selfish3.Having an outside source rescue the protagonist, after having shown the reader that he is worthy of a happy ending

4.Showing how the protagonist has changed (grown) from the beginning of the story

5.Giving a satisfying end to the major storyline6.Give an adequate ending to every character in the story

RESOLUTION EXTENSION 1

Using your answers from the Conflict Extension slide of What’s a well-known movie that has… Identify the resolution

to each example

ConflictResolution

Character vs. Character Conflict…..

Character vs. Nature Conflict…..

Character vs. Society…..

Character vs. Self…..