This document discusses the key elements of a good story, including setting, characters, conflict, point of view, theme, and the 5 stages of plot. It uses the classic story of Cinderella to illustrate these elements. The setting is a kingdom long ago where Cinderella lives with her stepmother and stepsisters. The main conflict arises when Cinderella wants to attend the prince's ball but her stepmother prevents her from going. With the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella is able to go to the ball and meets the prince, illustrating the rising action, climax and resolution of the classic plot.

1. What makes a
good story?

2. •
•
•
•
•
•
Every good story has these
elements:
Setting
Characters
Conflict
Point of View
Theme
5 stages of Plot
–
–
–
–
–
Exposition
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution

3. Let’s learn the plot elements of a
good story through the classic
“Cinderella” story.

4. Setting
• Setting is the time and place of the
story’s action.
 Setting often includes cultural ideas,
customs, values, and beliefs.

5. The setting in “Cinderella”
• The story takes place a long time ago in
a land ruled by a king and a queen.

6. Characters
• Characters are the actors in a story’s
plot. They can be people, animals, or
whatever the writer chooses.
• The protagonist is the main character
trying to resolve the main conflict.
• The antagonist is the person against the
main character.

7. Characters in “Cinderella”
• Main characters are Cinderella and her stepmother.
• Minor Characters include: the stepsisters, the
fairy godmother and the prince.
• Protagonist: Cinderella
• Antagonist: the step mother

8. Theme
• The theme of “Cinderella” is
implied. The reader can
infer one or more themes
from it.
 One theme is that you should
make the best of any
situation and things will work
out in the end.
 Another might be, good
triumphs over evil.
 What other universal themes
can you think of?

9. Plot
• Plot is the sequence of events in a
story. Each event causes or leads to
the next.

10. Main Conflict in “Cinderella”
• Problem: (Somebody)Cinderella
(wanted)wants to go to the ball, but her
stepmother prevents her from going by giving
her more chores than she can complete so
her fairy godmother helps her.
• Conflict: The conflict is external—Cinderella
versus her step mother. Man vs man conflict .
Using the Somebody Wanted But So
Strategy will help you summarize the
problem of the story.
Somebody – main character
Wanted – what do they want
But – what prevents them from
getting what they want
So – what happens to next to begin
solving the problem.

11. The Five Stages of Plot
• Exposition introduces the story’s characters,
setting, and conflict. All 3 elements must be
present. (Somebody Wanted But So)
• Rising action: steps the characters take to
move towards solving the conflict or struggle
in the story, often includes foreshadowing
and suspense. Rising action leads to the
climax in the story.
 Foreshadowing is the hint or clue of what might
happen next in the story.
 Suspense is the uncertainty or excitement in the
story, often makes the reader curious about the
outcome.

12. The Five Stages of Plot
• Climax is the turning point of the story which
marks the end of the conflict. The main
problem is solved and outcome of plot is
near.
• Falling action is the stage of the plot when
other issues are resolved the story begins to
close. This stage comes after the main
conflict is resolved and the tension begins to
ease.
• Resolution presents the final outcome of the
story and wraps up the story.

13. Cinderella: Plot Diagram
Setting: In a kingdom, a
long time ago.
1.Cinderella
wanted to go
the ball but
her step
mother
wouldn’t
allow her to
go so her fairy
god mother
comes to help
her
2.
Cinderella
does not
have a
dress to
wear to
the ball.
4. A fairy
godmother
appears
and
provides
Cinderella
with
clothes, a
coach, and
footman.
3. The
stepsisters
go to the
ball.
6. Cinderella
dances with
the prince,
but leaves
hurriedly at
midnight;
losing a
slipper
5.
Cinderella
goes to the
ball.
8.The stepsisters
try to force their
feet into the slipper.
It fits Cinderella.
7,The prince
says he
will marry
the woman
whom the
slipper fits.
•9.Cinderella and
the prince marry.
•10.The step
sisters and
stepmother live
at the palace
with Cinderella.
11. They lived
happily
ever after.