Story Elements:

What Makes a Good Story?What Makes a Good Story?

What elements make a good What elements make a good story?story?

• setting• protagonist• antagonist• characterization• plot• conflict• exposition• rising action• climax • falling action• resolution• point of view• theme• symbolism

What is a What is a proprotagonist?tagonist?

• The “good guy” or the hero• The main character of the story• Remember that the prefix “pro”

means good.

If the protagonist is good then If the protagonist is good then what is the antagonist?what is the antagonist?

• The bad guy or the villian

• Usually the person or force in conflict with the protagonist.

Why is the setting Why is the setting important?important?

• It tells the reader the time and place where the action is taking place

What is characterizationWhat is characterization

• The way we find out things about a character

• There are many ways to find out about a character:

1. the author tells us directly2. what the character says in the story, his

actions, or his thoughts3. reactions and comments from other

characters4. physical appearance

Why is the plot important?Why is the plot important?

• Because it is what makes a story interesting, exciting, thrilling, etc.

• Plot is the series of events and actions that take place in a story.

What is conflict?What is conflict?

• Conflict is an important part of the plot.

• It’s the problem in the story that needs to be resolved

• A longer novel may have more than one conflict

• It could be internal (inside the head) or external (with another person, society, or nature)

What is Exposition?What is Exposition?

• The start of the story• The way things are before the

actions begins.• This would include the setting and

any background information the author gives you

What is rising action?What is rising action?

• A series of events, conflicts, and crises that lead to the climax of the story (the top of the mountain)

Why does a story need a Why does a story need a climax?climax?

• It is the turning point of the story

• At the top of the mountain

• The most intense moment when action comes to the highest point of conflict

What is falling action?What is falling action?

• All of the action and events that follow after the climax

• All is leading up to the resolution/conclusion

How will a story end?How will a story end?

• A story always ends with a resolution.

• It’s the conclusion where all loose ends are tied up

• The conflict is solved.

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

• Clues the author gives you in the beginning of the story that tell you what could happen later in the story

Point of ViewPoint of View

• The position of the person telling the story

• First Person – someone in the story is the narrator

• Third Person – someone outside the story (author) is telling the story

ThemeTheme

• The main ideas or big ideas• The message the author wants to

communicate by telling the story

SymbolismSymbolism

• A symbol represents something larger than itself.

• A black cat may symbolize bad luck

• A lion could be a symbol of courage