2. When you describe your favorite TV
show to friends, you probably tell them
what happens (plot) as well as where
and when it happens (setting). These
are essential elements of all stories.
Understanding the elements of a story
can make you a better audience and
storyteller.
GOAL

3.  Plot is a chain of events that tells what
happens in a story.
 One event causes another to occur, and
so on.
 When some says “Let me tell you about
my day,” you probably respond by
saying, “what happened?” The what
happens is the plot of the story.

4.  This is the part of the story in which we
are introduced to the characters,
setting, and the basic story conflict. In
some stories, the exposition occurs
over several pages or even chapters; in
some, the exposition is very short
maybe a paragraph or two; and in some
the exposition is skipped as characters
dive right into the action.
EXPOSITION

5.  The time and place in which a story takes
place is called its setting.
 Depending on the story and the writer,
setting can be a background story element
or a key part of the story. In the example
below the setting is mentioned in the very
first sentence.
 The dark sky, filled with angry, swirling
clouds, reflected Greg Ridley’s mood as
he
sat on the stoop of his building.

6.  PROTAGONIST- The character who is
viewed as the “good person” in the
story.
 ANTAGONIST– The character who is
viewed as the “bad person” in the story.

7.  This is also know as the problem in
a story and needs a resolution.
 Types – There are two types of conflict:
 Internal – the problem lies within the
character
 External - the problem lies between two
characters or forces
CONFLICT

8.  Rising Action – part of the story in
which the main character faces a series
of conflicts on his or her journey toward
reaching a goal.
 Climax – also known as the turning
point. Point in the story at which we
learn the outcome of the story’s main
conflict. Very often, the climax is also
the emotional high point of the story.
ACTION PARTS

9.  Falling Action – the events that result
from the climax and lead to the
resolution.
 Resolution – the closing part of the
story in which we learn how the
characters have dealt with the outcome
of the conflict.
Exposition
event
event
event
Clima
x
Falling Action
event
Resolution

10. There are 5 parts to the plot of a story.

11. They live happily ever
after
Cinderella & the Prince
marry
The stepsisters try to force their feet
into the slipper, but it fits CinderellaThe prince says he will marry the woman who
the slipper fits.
Cinderella leaves hurriedly at midnight and loses a
slipper
Cinderella goes to the ball and dances with
the prince
A fairy godmother appears and provides Cinderella
with clothes, a coach, and footmen for the ball
The stepsisters prepare and go to the ball
An invitation the palace ball arrives
Cinderella lives unhappily with her stepsisters
and their mother

12. Theme is the life lesson the author
is trying to teach you in the story.
 Some examples of theme: love,
courage, perseverance, empathy,
goodness of mankind, honesty,
loyalty, etc.
THEME