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STORY ELEMENTS. When you describe your favorite TV show to friends, you probably tell them what happens (plot) as well as where and when it happens (setting). These are essential elements of all stories. Understanding the elements of a story can make you a better audience and storyteller.
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When you describe your favorite TV show to friends, you probably tell them what happens (plot) as well as where and when it happens (setting). These are essential elements of all stories. Understanding the elements of a story can make you a better audience and storyteller. GOAL
Plot is a chain of events that tells what happens in a story. One event causes another to occur, and so on. When some says “Let me tell you about my day,” you probably respond by saying, “what happened?” The what happens is the plot of the story. Plot
This is the part of the story in which we are introduced to the characters, setting, and the basic story conflict. In some stories, the exposition occurs over several pages or even chapters; in some, the exposition is very short maybe a paragraph or two; and in some the exposition is skipped as characters dive right into the action. EXPOSITION
The time and place in which a story takes place is called its setting. Depending on the story and the writer, setting can be a background story element or a key part of the story. In the example below the setting is mentioned in the very first sentence. The dark sky, filled with angry, swirling clouds, reflected Greg Ridley’s mood as he sat on the stoop of his building. Setting = Time & Place
PROTAGONIST- The character who is viewed as the “good person” in the story. ANTAGONIST– The character who is viewed as the “bad person” in the story. CHARACTERS
This is also know as the problem in a story and needs a resolution. • Types – There are two types of conflict: • Internal – the problem lies within the character • External - the problem lies between two characters or forces CONFLICT
Rising Action – part of the story in which the main character faces a series of conflicts on his or her journey toward reaching a goal. Climax – also known as the turning point. Point in the story at which we learn the outcome of the story’s main conflict. Very often, the climax is also the emotional high point of the story. ACTION PARTS
Falling Action– the events that result from the climax and lead to the resolution. Resolution – the closing part of the story in which we learn how the characters have dealt with the outcome of the conflict. Climax event FallingAction event event event Resolution Exposition
There are 5 parts to the plot of a story. Plot parts
Cinderella example The stepsisters try to force their feet into the slipper, but it fits Cinderella The prince says he will marry the woman who the slipper fits. Cinderella leaves hurriedly at midnight and loses a slipper Cinderella goes to the ball and dances with the prince A fairy godmother appears and provides Cinderella with clothes, a coach, and footmen for the ball Cinderella & the Prince marry The stepsisters prepare and go to the ball Cinderella lives unhappily with her stepsisters and their mother They live happily ever after An invitation the palace ball arrives
Theme is the life lesson the author is trying to teach you in the story. Some examples of theme: love, courage, perseverance, empathy, goodness of mankind, honesty, loyalty, etc. THEME