3. Exposition The set-up at the beginning of a story. The dialogue, description, etc., that explains the background of the characters and the situation of the story.
4. Setting (Exposition) Hello! This is important! Where and when the story takes place. The customs of the story must fit the time and place. The setting can play a key role in creating tone and mood (atmosphere).
5. Conflict (Rising Action) Without some sort of tussle, there just isn’t a story to read. External conflict: A character struggles against another person, group of people, or force of nature (tornado or a bear). Internal conflict: A struggle that takes place in the character’s mind, like when a character must make a decision.
6. Complications (Rising Action) Nothing is ever easy. There is always something that makes life complicated for the main character(s). A series of events that make it very hard for the character to get what he/she wants.
7. Climax Finally the point of all that rising action! The story’s most emotional or suspenseful moment. The point at which the conflict is decided one way or another.
8. Falling Action It’s all down hill from here to the end. The part of the story after the main point or event (climax) where conflicts begin to resolve themselves.
9. Resolution (The End) Also known as the denouement (now there’s a word for ya’) The last part of the story. The conflict is resolved and the loose ends of the story are tied up. This is how the story ends.
10. Theme Bottom line, what does it all mean? The author’s message in a story. The author reveals something about life and people. The stories that have a meaning beyond the people and events on their pages-- a meaning that we can use—are the ones that change our lives. This deeper meaning is called THEME.
