* Plot * Character * Conflict * Setting * Theme * These are like the parts of the house; get rid of one part and you don’t have a house – or story!

* Plot is the arrangement of incidents or events in a story: * Exposition * Initial (or inciting) incident * Climax * Falling action * Final outcome (denouement)

* Gives the background to the story * Introduction of characters * Setting * Antecedent action: describes important events that have taken place before the story starts.

* An event that “gets the ball rolling” * Incites or begins a conflict

* Events complicate the conflict * Conflict becomes more pronounced * But not yet the peak of the story

* The peak of tension in the story * The “point of no return” * The moment of greatest suspense (if applicable)

* Actions that lead to the resolution or final outcome * May be quite rapid in a short story

* Denouement comes from the French words for “untying the knot” * Any loose ends are wrapped up * A feeling of satisfaction or accomplishment should be created for readers

* There’s no story without characters * Protagonist: the main character of the story (not necessarily the “good guy”) * E.g., Harry Potter * Antagonist: the person opposing the protagonist * E.g., Malfoy

* Flat character: doesn’t change during the course of the story; one-dimensional * E.g. Neville * Dynamic Character: one that changes substantially during a story, * E.g. Harry

* Round character: a character with many traits and sides to his/her character * E.g. Ron * Stock characters: a stereotyped character whom readers immediately recognize * The absent-minded professor, Sybill Trelawney

* There are two main ways readers learn about a character: * Direct Characterization: the author TELLS readers directly about the character * E.g., “Harry didn’t care for bananas. They gave him indigestion.” * Indirect characterization: the author SHOWS readers how a character may be

* There are four key ways that an author SHOWS us what a character is like: * What the character says: “Ugh, I hate bananas. They give me gas.” * What the character thinks: Harry decided not to have a banana, remembering the unfortunate effects on his digestion. * What the character does: Harry passed over the bananas and reached for a peach. * What others say about the character: “Don’t let Harry have a banana. He’ll stink up the whole common room!”

* Things to look at when examining a character closely: * The character’s dialogue * What she says * What she thinks * What she does * What motivates her * Does her motivation change?

* There are two main types of conflict a character may experience: * Internal: man vs. himself (an inner, moral struggle) * External: * Man vs. man * Man vs. society * Man vs. unknown * Man vs. the supernatural * Man vs. nature

* The setting is WHERE and WHEN the story takes place. * As well as the atmosphere of the story

* A synonym for atmosphere is mood. * Usually established at the beginning of the story * Physical surroundings and even time can affect a character and the story’s mood.

* Factors that can help create atmosphere in a story: * Weather * Light or dark * Shadows or natural lighting * Colours * Furniture * Natural surroundings

* Theme is a major idea that an author covers * There can be several themes in a story * Ask yourself: * Why did the author bother to write this story? * What does the author want me to think about? * What do people talk about after they’ve read this story?