SettingPlot

CharacterTheme

Story Elements

Setting Setting is the time and place in which a story unfolds.

Plot Plot is the structure of a story. It is the ACTION that occurs or the EVENTS that take place. Plot is “what happens.”

How is plot developed?

1. Chronological order – in sequence; also called time order and sequential order  2. Foreshadowing - A device used in literature to create

expectation or to set up an explanation of future

developments Ex: That was the start of what would end up being a

bad day.  3. Flashback - A device used in literature to present

action that occurred before the beginning of the story- Flashbacks are often introduced as dreams or recollections of one or more characters.

(“Flash back to the past”)

Plot Diagram: The Components of Plot

Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts

Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax

Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action

Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax

Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle, or problem, between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is NO PLOT!

Types of Conflict

Person vs. Nature

Person vs. Society

Person vs. Self

Internal Conflict

Person vs. PersonExternal Conflict

CharacterProtagonist – the main character in a story; most often the positive force, or “good guy” (remember protagonist= positive)

Antagonist – any character or force that opposes, or goes against, the protagonist

Example: Protagonist – Rikki tikki tavi Antagonist(s) – Nag, Nagaina, Karait

Characterization Characterization is the method an author uses to reveal characters and their various personalities.

Theme Theme is a lesson about life that a story conveys.

Ask yourself: “What lesson did I learn after reading this story?”

Examples of Common Themes

Love conquers all.Treat others as you wish to be treated.Always seek the truth.Great risks often bring great rewards.Don’t give up on your dreams.Beauty comes from within.Don’t believe everything you hear.Good will triumph over evil.Suffering can sometimes make us stronger.Love and friendship are more important

than wealth.Life is precious, so appreciate every minute.People cannot control nature.

Example Questions

First Day

The day had cracked across the sky. The red and yellows burned over the clouds like lasers eating away at the blackness of the dawn. The warmth of the day began to settle onto Heath Road. The birds chirped at the brightness of the daylight spreading over the street.

While people on the block were shifting in their beds from the sun’s brilliance, Clint was up with the dawn. He was whistling in the shower and singing as he made his breakfast. He had waited for this day all year. It was the start of basketball camp, and he was ready. Clint dribbled his basketball all over the house waiting for his ride. He woke up everyone in the process.

Just then, a car’s horn honked. It was Clint’s ride, Walter. He ran out to the front only to find Frazier was riding with Walter. Frazier was the best player on the team and a bully. He loved to taunt Walter and Clint when they would take shots. He usually made them miss.

Walter stepped out of the car to open the trunk for Clint. “What’s he doing here?” Clint asked.

“He needed a ride, and Coach called me to make sure he had one,” Walter replied.

Just then, the sun was enveloped by a huge cloud. It seemed to come out of nowhere and pushed the sun back into the dark. The birds stopped their chirping. The weather got a little colder. It even started to rain a little. “What a great way to start the day,” Clint mumbled to Walter.

Question 1: Setting

How does the setting change at the end of the story?

A. It changes into a basketball game.

B. The setting gets happier. C. The setting gets drearier. D. The setting does not change by the

end of the story.

Answer: C When Clint finds out the team’s bully will be riding with the boys to camp, his day goes bad. It starts off happy and great, but just as Clint gets the bad news, the clouds come back and chase away the sunshine. It even starts to rain.

Question 2: CharacterizationHow are the main character and the setting similar? A. The car the boys drive in is as broken-down as the street. B. The weather matches Clint’s mood at the end of the story. C. Clint plays basketball, and he is very nervous. D. Clint has the same name as the street he lives on.

Answer: B If you read the passage carefully, you’ll

see that Clint wakes up in the morning extremely happy and excited to start his day. His mood and attitude are very positive, just as the weather is warm, sunny, and happy.

At the end of the story, Clint’s mood has gone from happy to sad and bothered. Just like Clint’s mood, the weather changed from warm and sunny to dark and rainy.

Question 3: Plot What is an example of something that occurs in the rising action component of plot?

A. We learn the main character’s name is Clint. B. Clint wakes his family up while waiting for

his ride. C. Clint lives on Heath Road. D. Clint goes to camp upset and is not happy

to share a ride with Frazier.

Answer: B We learn Clint’s name and where he lives

in the exposition of the story.

We know that Clint being negatively affected by Frazier is the resolution, or how the story ends.

Therefore, Clint dribbling his ball and waking up his family while he waits for his ride occurs during the rising action component of the plot diagram.

Question 4: Theme What is an example of a theme from this passage?

A. Love conquers all. B. Always seek the truth. C. Love and friendship are more

important than wealth. D. Don’t be defeated by the presence of

negative people.

Answer: D Clint was affected in a negative

manner and changed his attitude once he saw Frazier in the car. The lesson learned is that you should try to rise above a negative situation, and try your best to not allow another person to take the wind out of your sails.