1. Story Elements

2. Character
A person, animal, or imaginary creature that plays a role in the story
Ways to describe them:
Physical traits
personality traits
Motives
Actions
Feelings

3. Setting The time and place in which the story takes place Describing:
Environment
time of day or year
historical period
Situation
Place

4. Plot
the structure of the action of a story
Plot Mountain

5. Exposition
The beginning of the story
Plot Mountain

6. Rising Action
A series of events building the tension toward the climax
Plot Mountain

7. Climax
The most intense or crucial moment or event when the tension reaches a peak
Plot Mountain

8. Falling Action The tension fades and the consequences are examined
Plot Mountain

9. Resolution How the story’s central problem is resolved, the conclusion
Plot Mountain

10. Theme Major idea of the story or the message
Like a backpack of treasures you pick up along the journey and open at the end

11. Conflict Clash between opposing forces
Human vs. Human
Human vs. Nature
Human vs. Self
Without conflict, there is no plot!

12. Point of View The perspective from which the story is told
First person (I, me, us, we)
Second person (you)
Third person (He, she, they) Narrator

13. Tone
The attitude or feeling the story gives
Happy
Sad
Scary
Boring…

14. Audience
The person reading the story

15. Author’s Purpose The reason for writing the story To inform
To persuade
To entertain

16. Summarize the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Think of:
Plot
Setting
Characters
Theme