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The time and place in which a story occurs

stated – time and place are directly stated by the author implied – time and place are determined by clues given by the author

On a rainy November morning in 1776, a soldier trod a solitary path along a road in western Virginia.

His gait was slow, and his face — barely visible beneath untold layers of grime — betrayed an anguished, exhausted expression.

What is the setting? Is it stated or implied?

One night the king was holding a grand feast.

Sneaking around behind the lords and ladies, Prince Brat tied their powdered wigs to the backs of their oak chairs.

What is the setting? Is it stated or implied?

Overall feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates

It was a cold and cheerless evening. The fog seemed to hover over the street, clutching the buildings, the streetlamps—the entire city—in a damp, icy grip. If one were to stand still, passers by would emerge briefly from the gloom, only to disappear from view after taking just a few steps.

These ghostly apparitions tormented James as he impatiently waited for his valet to return with his carriage.

The people, animals, or creatures that the story is about

The characters directly involved with the conflict

 Good character  The hero or heroine

 Bad character  The villain or nemesis

 characters added to the story to create interest  not directly involved with the conflict

the method used by authors to help readers get to know the characters in a story

stated – the author character tells the audience about the personality and appearance of the Example: The giant was huge, statuesque, and powerful.

implied – the author shows the audience things that reveal the personality of a character Example: The giant felt unhappy when he saw the child crying. “I don’t like to see you suffering,” he said consolingly.

S

peech

T

houghts and Feelings

E

ffect on others

A

ctions

L

ooks

S

peech  What does the character say?  How does the character speak?

T

houghts and Feelings  What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings?

E

ffect on Others   What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?

A

ctions  What does the character do?  How does the character behave?

L

ooks  What does the character look like?  How does the character dress?

All of the events that make up a story

There are 6 main parts of a plot.

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Introduction Conflict Rising Actions Climax Falling Actions Conclusion

The beginning of the story where the characters and the setting are revealed.

The overall problem of the story. It should involve the main character.

1) 2) 3) 4) Character vs. Character Character vs. Environment/Nature Character vs. Society Character vs. Self

The first three types of conflict are generally external. This means that the reader understands that the characters are acting on their problems.

The last type is internal. This conflict occurs in the character’s mind or conscience, such as deciding to do the right thing, the honest thing, or the brave thing. It’s a decision that one can only make by him/herself.

All of the events leading to the climax of the story

The event in the story where the problem is solved or the question is answered. It’s usually the most exciting part of the story.

The events leading to the conclusion of the story

The end of the story

Introduction Conflict Climax Conclusion

The author’s choice of narrator or speaker

A character in the story is telling the story.

Uses the pronoun I

The speaker, or narrator, is outside the story.

Uses the pronouns he, she, it or they

Once upon a time there was an old sow with three little pigs, and as she had not enough to keep them, she sent them out to seek their fortune.

The first that went off met a man with a bundle of straw, and said to him, "Please, man, give me that straw to build me a house"; which the man did, and the little pig built a house with it.

Everybody knows the story of the Three Little Pigs. Or at least they think they do. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. Nobody knows the real story, because nobody has ever heard my side of the story.

I’m the wolf. Alexander T. Wolf.

You can call me Al.

I don’t know how this whole Big Bad Wolf thing got started, but it’s all wrong.

 A lesson or message the author is trying to send the reader  A generalization about life

stated – lesson or message is directly stated by the author implied – a lesson that is merely suggested