Transcript Story Element Notes

Setting
• There are TWO settings in every
story.
– LOCATION Setting
– TIME Setting
LOCATION Setting
• Where the story takes place.
• There may be several specific
location settings.
• When asked, list the general setting,
not all of the specific ones.
• Example: Small town in England or
New York City
TIME Setting
• When the story takes place
• May be general – such as past,
present or in the future.
• May be specific – During the Civil
War, the 1940s, or the year 3037.
• Author will give clues to the time
period through language, dress,
technology, etc.
Characters
• The people, animals, or imaginary
creatures that take part in the action
of the story.
– Major characters – those who are most
important to the story.
– Minor characters – those who take little part
in the action of story.
Characterization
• The way in which the author creates and
develops his/her characters.
• Direct characterization – characteristics
told to the reader through the text.
• Indirect characterization – characteristics
discovered by the reader through
dialogue, character’s actions and
interactions with others.
Conflict
• Major or important problem
of the story
• Does not always have to be
a bad thing
• Stories have multiple
conflicts.
Internal vs. External Conflicts
Internal Conflict
Conflict that occurs
inside the mind of a
character
An argument you have
with yourself
A difficult decision that
has to be made
Internal – inside –
invisible-ish
External Conflict
Conflict that occurs
outside of the mind
External conflicts can
be seen.
A fist fight or argument
with a friend
A character battling
against a flood
4 Types of Conflicts
• Character vs. character – external
• Character vs. nature – external
• Character vs. society – external
• Character vs. self – internal
Be able to give and recognize examples of
each. 
Point of View
• The way in which the author chooses to
tell the story.
• Four main points of view
• Point of view can also mean how a
character or person perceives a situation.
4 Points of View
• 1st person – the story is told by a character
of the story using “I” speak. Think
personal narratives!
• 2nd person – rarely used in fiction. Uses
“You” speak. Most often seen in how-to or
self help writing.
4 Points of View (cont.)
• 3rd person limited – the story is told by a narrator
who is not part of the story. The narrator follows
ONE character through the story.
• 3rd person omniscient – the story is told by a
narrator who is not part of the story. This
narrator can follow SEVERAL or ALL characters
at the same time through the story. Usually uses
different chapters to tell about different
characters.
Suspense
• Is a feeling of growing tension and
excitement.
• It makes the reader want to keep reading
to find out what will happen next.
• Roller coasters and scary movies are
suspenseful (and fun!)
Foreshadowing
• A hint about an event that will occur later
in the story.
• Often designed to build suspense and
keep the reader guessing about the
outcome of an event.
• Example: “At the time, we had no idea
that we would never see her again.”
Flashback
• When the author takes the reader back in
time to see an event that has already
occurred.
• Helps the reader understand a situation
better.
• Gives background information
• Often occurs as a dream, daydreaming, or
a character being “lost” in thought.
Symbol
• A person, place or object that stands for
something else.
• Often stand for something invisible like a
feeling or idea
Theme
• The message or moral of the story.
• This is what the author wants the reader to
understand or come away from the story
with.
• It is often a message about life or human
nature.
• Themes are not single words – they are
big ideas or sentences.
• One story can have multiple themes.
Tone & Mood
• Tone – the writer’s attitude
toward his/her subject
• Mood – the feeling the writer
creates for the readers
Plot/Plot Chart
• Plot - the pattern of events or
main story in a story or drama
• A Plot Chart is a graphic
representation of the events in a
story
Plot Chart
Climax:
Turning point or most
intense point in the
story; either in action
or emotions
Rising Action:
Events leading to
climax
Exposition:
Characters, setting
and mood are
established
Falling Action:
Events leading to the
resolution
Conflict:
Denouement:
The main
problem is
introduced
The resolution,
when the main
conflict is resolved