Setting
Technically, the setting is “where the story takes place,” but there are other factors to consider.
Setting
Highly specific place, such as a room, building, neighborhood (Garfield High School, Mr. Kahn’s classroom, under the table)
Character Types:
Dynamic Character: someone who somehow changes during the story. Perhaps they change their outlook on something or redeem themselves.
Static Character: someone who does not change during the story
Round Character: a well-developed character with many various traits.
Flat Character: a character with one or two traits.
Stock Character: a recognizable stereotype (boastful jock, evil stepmother, etc.
Characters
Protagonist: the main character of the story.
Antagonist: the character who opposes the protagonist
Point of View
…the perspective from which the story is told
“Who is telling the story/how do we know what is going on?”
Tells us how information much we can trust.
First Person
3rd Person Limited
3rd Person Omniscient
Plot Elements
Exposition: the information we have at the beginning of the story
Rising Action: the series of conflicts in the story that builds the plot.
Climax: The most intense point in the story, usually a turning point.
Plot Elements
Falling action: events after the climax, usually decreasing in intesity
Resolution: the conclusion of the story when everything gets tied together.
Theme
…the central message or idea of the story. Usually relates to the human condition
“What is the author trying to say?”