Story Elements ENG 4C

PLOT Story line Who did what, when, to whom, what happened as a result Revolves around external or internal conflict Contains a LEAD – identifies main CHARACTERS, introduces CONFLICT, defines SETTING, and establishes POINT OF VIEW

STORY STRUCTURE Exposition (characters, setting, dramatic situation Complications (obstacles that increase tension of conflict) Climax (turning point) Resolution (how story concludes)

SETTING Backdrop (physical location) Atmosphere (mood of the story) Character and Action (setting shapes attitudes and actions of the characters) Character and Psychology (setting can reflect characters inner feelings)

Character Most important of all Name, physical appearance, occupation, habits, actions, what the character says, does, and what others say about him or her

Character defined by: Values- people, places and things most important in the character’s life Feelings- emotions the characters feel most strongly Goals- character’s greatest hopes, what he/she is working to accomplish Problems- what other characters or circumstances are keeping the character from achieving his/her goals

Point of View Perspective from which the story is told First person limited- character in the story, relates own experience directly, limited because….. Third person limited- narrator is watching the story and is telling the events that he/she sees, limited because…. Third person omniscient- narrator is watching the story and is telling the events as he/she sees, narrator is all-knowing and seems to be able to read characters’ minds

Mood Overall feeling created by the author’s words Mood can change throughout the story Examples –happy, joyous, sad, eerie, gloomy, tense

Conflict Central course of tension and drama Struggle between two or more opposing forces Main categories Character vs. character Character vs. society Character vs. nature Character vs. self

Minor categories Character vs. animal Character vs. supernatural Character vs. machine Character vs. technology

Theme Problem or issue the story explores Universal idea suggested by the story stated in general terms Clues to theme – title of story, important images or symbols, suggested morals Traditional story IDEAS are Struggle between good and evil Differences between nature and civilized society Differences between country life and city life Free will and fate