This document provides an overview of key elements of a story, including setting, characters, plot, and conflict. It defines each element and gives examples. Setting is described as the time and place where the story occurs, and how details of the setting can describe senses and set the tone. Characters are the people, animals, or creatures in the story. Plot refers to the series of events that make up the story. Conflict is defined as a problem or struggle between two people, things, or ideas.

1. Elements
of a Story

2. Elementsofa Story:
• Setting – Thetime and place astory takesplace.
• Characters – the people, animals or creatures in astory.
• Plot – the seriesof events that make upastory.
• Conflict – aproblem or struggle between twopeople, things or ideas.
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3. Setting
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4. Setting
Details candescribe:
 Time of day
 Time of year
 Time in History
 Scenery
 Weather
 Location
•
•
•
Thesetting describes where
an when the story takesplace.
It helpsbuild background
an
d create images in the mind.
Ithelps set the tone or mood
of the story.
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5. UsingtheFiveSenses
•
•
Agood setting helps
the reader visualize
the places in the
story.
Agood author
includes
descriptions of the
setting using the
five senses…
•
•
•
•
•
SIGHT
SMELL
TASTE
FEEL
SOUND
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6. Take a Look…Which is better?
The waves crashed loudly against the shoreline. The
fog lifted lightly and the medieval castle came into
view. It was a beautiful site! The fog brushed my
face and I could smell the smoke from the fire in the
distance and taste the sea salt on my lips. Walsh Publishing Co. 2009
The castle
was beside
the water.
OR…

7. Your Turn…
•
•
•
•
Onthe next slide, there is apicture of asetting.
In your own words, write adetailed description of the
setting in your picture. Include many adjectives and
don’t forget to include descriptions for each of the five
senses:see,hear, feel, smell, taste
Extension: Draw your own setting and thenwrite
about it.
Extension: Your teacher will give you amagazine to
look through. Find apicture that could be asettingfor
a story.
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9. Characters
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10. Everystoryneeds
Characters…
People Animals OrCreatures
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11. The protagonist is the
“good guy”

12. Theantagonististhe“bad
guy”orforce

13. Characterization
Characterizationis the
way in which an author
shows the personality ofa
character
Characterization is a
technique writers use to
make characters “cometo
life.”
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14. Thinkabout yourfavorite book,
movie or TVcharacter…
•
•
•
•
How can you describe his/her appearance?
What kind of personality does he/shehave?
What kinds of things does he/shelike?
Make alist of character traits forthis character.

15. Characterization
Characters are people or animals in astory.
Awriter cantell you directly about acharacter…
(Freddy wasvery competitive)
Or
Awriter cantell you indirectly about acharacter…
(Two daysbefore the game, Freddy gathered his
teammates and laid out his plan. Then he looked at them
and said, “We are going to winthis one. No excuses.”)

16. Direct
Characterization•
•
Direct Characterization
tells the reader the
personality of the
character.
Direct Characterization is
obvious to the readerand
“spells” it rightout.
• “The patient boy andthe
quiet girl were both well
behaved and did not
disobey their mother.

17. Indirect
• IndirecCt
•
•
•
•
•
Characterization shows
things that reveal the
personality of the
character.
Speech
Thought
Effect on Others
Action
s
Looks
haracteT
rhe
ib
zo
ay s
tat
in
oex
nt to his
sister asshepoked him
and teased him. Hedid
not react. Hecarefully
picked up her doll from
the floor and placed it
on her lap sayinggently,
“Here you go, whydon’t
you play with your
doll?”

18. Indirect
☻WhatCdoehsthae crhaaracctertsaey?rHoiwzdoaestthieochnara…cter speak?
☻What is revealed through the character’s private thoughtsand
feelings?
☻What is the character’s effecton others? How do other
characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
☻What does the character do? How does he/she behave?
☻What does the characterlook like? Dresslike?

19. Character Traits
Character Traits are descriptive adjectives that tell us specific
qualities of a character
•Honest •Excited •Bright •Unselfish •Humble •Ambitious
•Light-hearted •Studious •Courageous •Self-confident •Friendly •Able
•Leader •Inventive •Serious •Respectful •Short •Quiet
•Expert •Creative •Funny •Considerate •Adventurous •Curious
•Brave •Thrilling •Humorous •Imaginative •Hard-working •Reserved
•Conceited •Independent •Sad •Busy •Timid •Pleasing
•Mischievous •Intelligent •Poor •Patriotic •Shy •Bossy
•Demanding •Compassionate •Rich •Fun-loving •Bold •Witty
•Thoughtful •Gentle •Tall •Popular •Daring •Fighter
•Keen •Proud •Dark •Successful •Dainty •Tireless
•Happy •Wild •Light •Responsible •Pitiful •Energetic
•Disagreeable •Messy •Handsome •Lazy •Cooperative •Cheerful
•Simple •Neat •Pretty •Dreamer •Lovable •Smart
•Fancy •Joyful •Ugly •Helpful •Prim •Impulsive
•Plain •Strong •Selfish •Simple- •Proper •Loyal
minded

20. FactorsinAnalyzingCharacters
Physical appearance/what they looklike
Personality & CharacterTraits
Background/personal history
Motivation/why do theyact?
Relationships
Conflict or struggles
Does the characterchange?
What do they thinkand feel?
How do others feel aboutthem?

21. Character Motivation
•
•
•
•
Character Motivation is the driving force behindwhy
the character does what he/she does. (Reasonsfor
character’s actions)
What does the main character want morethan
anything else (main goal)?
What do secondary characters want morethan
anything else (main goal)?
What potential conflicts or struggles mightexist
between the characters?
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22. SnowWhite: Character
Motivation•
•
•
•
Character Motivation. Why does the queen’s heart turn
against SnowWhite?
Character Motivation. Why do the dwarfs allowSnow
White to stay withthem?
Character Motivation. Why does the queen disguise herself
asan old peddler woman?
Character Motivation. Why does the queen giveSnow
White the poisonapple?

23. YourTurn…Thinkof a characterfrom a
book, a movie or TV…
•
•
•
•
•
•
Who is the character? From what story?
What does he/she want?
What does he/she need?
What is his/her motivation?
What does he/she do to get what they need?
How does the character change during themovie,
book or TVshow?

24. Identifying Character Traits Worksheet: http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson175/RWT186-2.pdf
Character Poem
First name
Four traits
Related to:
Cares deeply for
Who feels
Who needs
Who gives
Who would like to see
Resident of
Example of poem
Snow White,
Beautiful, giving, loving, unhappy
The Queen, her wicked stepmother
The seven dwarfs
Safe in the forest
The love of a Prince
Love to the seven dwarfs
Goodness throughout the kingdom
The forest.

25. P lot
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26. P lot
Plot - the events that take place in a story. Every story
needs a plot! The plot has different “parts…”

27. Exposition: the start of the story,
before the action starts
Rising Action: the series of
events and conflicts in the story
that lead to the climax
Falling Action: all of the
action which follows the
climax
Resolution: the conclusion, the
tying together of all of the threads
Plot Components
Climax: the turning point, the most
intense moment—either mentally
or in action

28. Theclimax is the most exciting
part!!

29. SpecialTechniquesof Plot…
Suspense- excitement or tension
Flashback- interrupts the normal sequence of
events to tell about something that happened
in the past
Surprise Ending- conclusion that readerdoes
not expect
And…Foreshadowing…

30. Ahint about what willhappen next is
called foreshadowing
For example, if you hear this:
Then you know someone’s about to get eaten!

31. Your Turn…
•
•
Youwill be given ashort story toread.
Once you’ve finished reading, fill out the plot diagram for the
story.

32. Conflict
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33. Conflict
• Conflict is the
“battle” between
two forces.
• Conflict isn’talways
bad..sometimes it
helps to create
change.
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34. Conflict
Conflict is the struggle betweentwo
forces in astory. Without conflict,
there is noplot.

35. Types of Conflict
Character vs Character
Character vs Nature
Character vs Society
Character vs Self

36. Types Of Conflict…a deeper look
1. Character vs. Character
(problem with another character)
2.Character vs. Nature
(problem with force of nature)
3. Character vs. Society (problem
with the laws or beliefs of a group)
(character vs. community, society or culture)
4. Character vs. Self
(problem with deciding what to
do or think; “inner conflict”)

37. Your turn…
What’sawell-knownmoviethathas…
Character vs.Character Conflict
Character vs.Nature Conflict
Character vs.Society
Character vs.Self