What’s Important in a Narrative?

1. The setting is the time and place where a story takes place. *However, the setting can also be broad such as a time period (Ex. 21th century).

2. The theme is the overall message of the story.*The theme can be directly or indirectly stated.

http://www.education.com/study-help/article/theme/

3. A character is anyone in the story. *Characters can grow or change over time.

4. Character traits are descriptive adjectives like elated or depressed that tell us about the character.

5. Plot – the sequence of events in a story

6. Conflict - the problem in the storyA) Internal – Struggles within the

character*Man vs. Himself

B) External – Struggles between the character and outside forces

*Man vs. Man*Man vs. Nature*Man vs. Society

7. Climax – the high point in the story; the turning point of the story

8. Exposition - introduces the setting and the characters

9. Rising Action – the events that lead up to the climax

10. Falling Action – the events following the climax*The falling action shows how the main character settles or struggles with the conflict. The falling action is shorter than the rising action.

10. Resolution – the conclusion of the story*The resolution can sometimes have a surprise ending.