What are Story Elements? Story elements are things found in every story. Regardless of the format of the story, its length, or its style, these elements have to be present for it to be considered a story. The story elements help us understand what the writer is trying to say and help us better make sense of the story as a whole.

Plot Plot is the sequence (or order) of events in a story, from beginning to end. Plot is what the characters of the story do. Plot consists of a beginning (often called exposition), rising action, a climax (the highest point of excitement or tension in the story), and falling action leading to a resolution.

Characters Characters are the people or animals in a story; who the story is about. The protagonist is the main character of the story, the one who drives the action; the antagonist is the person who goes against the main character.

Setting and Mood Setting is where and when the story takes place. Mood is the general feeling of the story.

Conflict Conflict is the problem (or struggle) of the story. There are five basic types of conflict: man vs. man man vs. himself man vs. society man vs. nature man vs. supernatural

Theme Theme is the moral or lesson the story teaches, the message the writer wants to get to you, the reader.