1. Okay – I am rarely going to ask you to do this but . . . .
Turn to the person next to you and talk! Take turns and tell each other what you did from the moment you woke up yesterday, until the moment you arrived at school today.

2. Guess what?
You just told each other a short story! Even though you each had a different story to tell, they all had something in common.
Each story told was an orderly description of events – or – a narrative.

3. Elements of a Story Character
One of the most important aspects of a story
Characters usually change (develop) throughout a story
Character traits can be physical or emotional
There are 4 methods of character revelation
What the character says
What the character does
What other people say about the character
What the author says about the character

4. Elements of a Story Plot
The plot is a sequence of events that make up a story
The sequence of events establish a conflict that leads to a climax, followed by a conclusion
Through the plot the writer is able to focus our view upon an idea, which the author considers important

5. Elements of a Story
Plot Line

6. Elements of a Story Introduction/Exposition Meet the characters
Introduce setting/atmosphere
Introduce the situation
Give background information the reader needs to understand the story
Rising Action (Conflict)
The force that moves the plot along and the struggles in which the characters are involved.
The conflict makes the story more complex, difficult, funny etc.

7. Elements of a Story Climax (highest point of tension)
The “something” that happens
This event brings the story to a close
Some stories end at the climax leaving the reader to conclude the story – those stories are called cliffhangers 
Falling Action
Since the climax is the highest point of tension, the action can only decline or fall until the conclusion
Conclusion/Denouement
The “loose ends” are tied up, the story is wrapped up

8. Elements of a Story Theme Theme is the author’s comment about life
The audience interprets the theme based on the actions of the characters and the plot
There can be more than one theme in a story
The following are examples of common themes:
Love
Revenge
Good versus Evil
Inexperience to Experience
Jealousy
Survival

9. Elements of Narrative Theme statements:
Identify the theme, then provide a sentence which explains it in detail.
Ex:
Appearances versus Reality: “Never judge a book by its cover”
Friendship: “A true friend will have your back no matter what”
Respect: “Treat people the way you want to be treated”

10. Elements of a Story Setting
The setting is the time and place of the story
Setting contributes to the effectiveness of the story
The setting creates atmosphere and mood
The setting may help reveal character

11. Elements of a Story Conflict
Conflict creates tension and suspense and allows the writer to develop character.
As readers observe characters coping with conflict, they learn how the characters respond in a crisis (with humour, conviction, timidity etc.)
Through characters’ responses to conflict, readers discover whether characters are learning from their experiences and changing.
Some examples of conflict:
Character vs. Character
Character vs. Society
Character vs. Nature
Character vs. Self

12. Elements of a Story
Narrative Points of View
In fiction, the point of view determines whose eyes the story is told through.
First person: the narrator uses pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘we’.
Second person: the narrator tells the story to another character using the word 'you.' The author could be talking to the audience, which we could tell by the use of 'you,' 'you're,' or 'your.'

13. Elements of a Story Narrative Points of View
Third Person: the narrator uses pronouns like ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘it’, or ‘they’.
Third Person Limited: the narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character.
Third Person Omniscient: the narrator knows all the thoughts, actions, and feelings of all characters.