Narrative Elements
There are 7 elements of narrative Plot Setting Character Atmosphere Theme Point of View Literary Devices
Plot What happens  in the story; events that occur  from beginning to end. Conflict A struggle between forces . 1) Human vs. Human  2) Human vs. Nature 3) Human vs. Society 4) Human vs. Her/Himself
Setting when  and  where  the story occurs (time and place) P lace :  geographical location ; w here is the action of the story taking place?  T ime :  w hen is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc . )
Setting W eather  C onditions :  i s it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? S ocial  C onditions :  w hat is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story  mention  the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)? M ood or  A tmosphere :  w hat feeling is created  during  the story?  Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?   This element of the setting can evolve throughout the story.
Character Protagonist:  the character whose actions form the basis of the plot the main character, the “ hero ” Antagonist: character who opposes the protagonist and or creates obstacles for him/her forces that work against the protagonist ’ s success (e.g. protagonist ’ s own character traits)
Character Dynamic (or Round) character :  A complex, multidimensional ,  developed, embodying a number  of qualities and traits A character that changes throughout the story  (complex, many sides) Static (or Flat) character :  A character that never changes (one-sided) Embody or represent a single characteristic, trait, or idea, or at  least a small number of such qualities
Atmosphere Mood  pervading the story The  feeling   aroused in the reader by the setting, plot, characters and devices (e.g. feeling of horror, uneasiness, peace)
Theme The main point or central concept around which the story is focused. Statement about life or human nature conveyed or implied through the story Can be the author ’ s message or central insight that s/he is trying to communicate through the story Examples of themes include: love, betrayal, friendship, war, etc.
Point of View Method of narration First person narrator:  “ I ” Told from a highly personal perspective Third person narrator:  “ He ” ,  “ She ” Told from an outside narrator who is not a character in the story
Point of View Continued  O mniscient :  means "all-knowing," and the narrator in such a circumstance can direct the  reader's attention to the inner thoughts of any of the characters and controls the sources of information
Point of View Third Person: L imited  O mniscient :  what the narrator knows and sees is restricted to what one central character can know and see.  This  limited perspective can explain things differently from  a first person point of view . O bjective :  the most "drastic" third person point of view ; t he narrator disappears, and  t here is no   way of entering the minds of the characters.  The reader is permitted  t o view the  plot  only externally, from the outside.  Because its technique   resembles drama, this point of view is often referred to as "dramatic."
Literary Devices Part of the style of a piece of writing, used to make it more interesting.  Examples include: imagery, symbolism, humour, dramatic irony, figurative language (e.g. metaphor, simile), flashback, foreshadowing, etc.

Narrative elements

  • 1.
  • 2.
    There are 7elements of narrative Plot Setting Character Atmosphere Theme Point of View Literary Devices
  • 3.
    Plot What happens in the story; events that occur from beginning to end. Conflict A struggle between forces . 1) Human vs. Human 2) Human vs. Nature 3) Human vs. Society 4) Human vs. Her/Himself
  • 4.
    Setting when and where the story occurs (time and place) P lace : geographical location ; w here is the action of the story taking place? T ime : w hen is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc . )
  • 5.
    Setting W eather C onditions : i s it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? S ocial C onditions : w hat is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story mention the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)? M ood or A tmosphere : w hat feeling is created during the story?  Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening? This element of the setting can evolve throughout the story.
  • 6.
    Character Protagonist: the character whose actions form the basis of the plot the main character, the “ hero ” Antagonist: character who opposes the protagonist and or creates obstacles for him/her forces that work against the protagonist ’ s success (e.g. protagonist ’ s own character traits)
  • 7.
    Character Dynamic (orRound) character : A complex, multidimensional , developed, embodying a number of qualities and traits A character that changes throughout the story (complex, many sides) Static (or Flat) character : A character that never changes (one-sided) Embody or represent a single characteristic, trait, or idea, or at least a small number of such qualities
  • 8.
    Atmosphere Mood pervading the story The feeling aroused in the reader by the setting, plot, characters and devices (e.g. feeling of horror, uneasiness, peace)
  • 9.
    Theme The mainpoint or central concept around which the story is focused. Statement about life or human nature conveyed or implied through the story Can be the author ’ s message or central insight that s/he is trying to communicate through the story Examples of themes include: love, betrayal, friendship, war, etc.
  • 10.
    Point of ViewMethod of narration First person narrator: “ I ” Told from a highly personal perspective Third person narrator: “ He ” , “ She ” Told from an outside narrator who is not a character in the story
  • 11.
    Point of ViewContinued O mniscient : means "all-knowing," and the narrator in such a circumstance can direct the reader's attention to the inner thoughts of any of the characters and controls the sources of information
  • 12.
    Point of ViewThird Person: L imited O mniscient : what the narrator knows and sees is restricted to what one central character can know and see.  This limited perspective can explain things differently from a first person point of view . O bjective : the most "drastic" third person point of view ; t he narrator disappears, and t here is no way of entering the minds of the characters.  The reader is permitted t o view the plot only externally, from the outside.  Because its technique resembles drama, this point of view is often referred to as "dramatic."
  • 13.
    Literary Devices Partof the style of a piece of writing, used to make it more interesting. Examples include: imagery, symbolism, humour, dramatic irony, figurative language (e.g. metaphor, simile), flashback, foreshadowing, etc.