1. Essential Elements of a Story
English 9

2. Characters
Characters are the people, animals, or other entities who take part in the action of a story. Typically, details in the story help readers understand the feelings, traits, or motives of characters.

3. Character Types I
Round – A round character is complicated. For instance, this type of character may be grumpy at times, while at other times being kind and patient.
Flat – A flat character is usually defined by a single trait which remains consistent. As an example, this character may be heroic at all times.

4. Character Types II
Static – A static character changes very little or not at all over the course of the story.
Stasis – condition in which little or no change occurs.
Dynamic – A dynamic character demonstrates noticeable changes in behavior or actions throughout the course of a story.

5. Setting
The setting of a story is the time and place of its action. The setting of a story often contributes to the mood of the story, or the overall feeling conveyed by the story.

6. The plot of the story is the sequence of events the story relates.
The plot usually contributes to the unifying effect of a story by including :
An exposition
Inciting incident
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution or denoument
Plot
“Story telling is about two things : it’s about character and plot.”
-George Lucas

7. The exposition sets up the story by giving the reader information about the setting, character background, historical context, etc.
Exposition

8. Inciting Incident
To incite means to stir up or encourage.
The protagonist is the main character of the story.
The inciting incident thrusts the protagonist into the main action of the story. This should also work as a hook to grab the attention of the reader.

9. Rising Action
The rising action is a series of events that lead to the directly to the climax, or high point of tension, in the story.

10. Climax The climax is the point of the story in which :
-The rising action turns to the falling action.
-The crisis or conflict reaches its peak.
-The story begins to progress to its resolution, or denouement.
Climax

11. The falling action may tie up loose ends of the plot and leads to the end of the story.

12. Resolution / Denouement
The End!
The term denouement derives from the French word “desnouer”, which means “untie”.
Is the end of the story.
Follows the falling action.
May divulge secrets.
Typically involves a return to normalcy for some or all characters.

13. Conflict
A conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces. Conflict may be :
Internal : conflict that takes place in the mind of a character. For example, a character may struggle to make a decision or overcome feelings.
External : conflict that takes place between a character and an outside force. For example, a character may have a direct and outward conflict with another character from the story.

14. Theme and Symbols
Theme : An insight to life conveyed through a story, often through insights from key elements of the story.
Symbol : A symbol is an object or story element that has a deeper meaning than it would if taken literally.