Elements of a Story - 7 & 8

Elements of a Story: 

Elements of a Story Edited by Mr. Woodmansee

Elements of a Story: 

Elements of a Story Plot – the series of events/conflicts Character – a person in a short story, novel, or play Setting - Time, place, general conditions of a work, and atmosphere Point-of-View – The perspective of the story Theme – The main idea

Plot: 

Plot

Pyramid Plot Structure: 

Pyramid Plot Structure The most basic and traditional form of plot is pyramid-shaped. This structure has been described in more detail by Aristotle and by Gustav Freytag.

Aristotle’s Unified Plot: 

The basic triangle-shaped plot structure was described by Aristotle in 350 BCE. Aristotle used the beginning, middle, and end structure to describe a story that moved along a linear path, following a chain of cause and effect as it works toward the solution of a conflict or crisis. Aristotle’s Unified Plot

Freytag’s Plot Structure: 

Freytag’s Plot Structure Freytag modified Aristotle’s system by adding a rising action and falling action to the structure. Freytag used the five-part design shown above to describe a story’s plot.

Modified Plot Structure: 

Modified Plot Structure Freytag’s Pyramid is often modified so that it extends slightly before and after the primary rising and falling action. You might think of this part of the chart as similar to the warm-up and cool-down for the story.

Plot Components: 

Plot Components 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

Types of Linear Plots: 

Types of Linear Plots Chronological Order Flashback In Media Res (in the middle of things) when the story starts in the middle of the action without exposition

Conflict: 

Conflict The struggle between two opposing forces The problem in the story External conflict – involves an outside source Internal conflict –goes on within the character

Types of Conflict: 

Types of Conflict Person vs . Nature Person vs . Society Person vs . Self Internal Conflict Person vs . Person Interpersonal Conflict

Character: 

Character

The protagonist is the “good guy”: 

The protagonist is the “good guy”

Protagonist: 

Protagonist The main character The hero The character that the reader becomes emotionally involved with.

The antagonist is the “bad guy” or force: 

The antagonist is the “bad guy” or force

Antagonist: 

Antagonist The character who goes up against the protagonist in the man versus man conflict. The villain

Dynamic Character: 

Dynamic Character A character who changes as a result of the conflict.

Static Character: 

Static Character A character that stays the same.

Character Development: 

Character Development What a character says, thinks, and feels Way a character acts What others say about the character How others act toward the character

Setting: 

Setting

The time and place of the story is the setting: 

The time and place of the story is the setting

Roles of Setting: 

Roles of Setting Background for action Adds details necessary to the story Drives the action of the plot (The story couldn’t take place in a different setting)

Setting Details Describe: 

Furniture Scenery Customs Transportation Clothing Dialects Weather Time of day Time of year Setting Details Describe

Point-of-View: 

Point-of-View

The point of view is the perspective of the story: 

The point of view is the perspective of the story “That rotten wolf tried to eat us!!!!” “I was framed! I just wanted to borrow a cup of sugar!”

Point of View: 

Point of View The relationship of the narrator, or storyteller, to the story First-person point of view , the narrator is a character in the story, referred to as “I” Third-person limited point of view , the narrator reveals the thoughts of only one character, referring to that character as “he” or “she” Third-person omniscient point of view , the narrator knows everything about the story’s events and reveals the thoughts of all the characters

Theme: 

Theme

Theme: 

Theme What the protagonist learns The main idea of the story What the reader can take and apply to his/her life