Story Elements, Plot Structure

theme

the life lesson, message, or moral of a story

setting

the time and place in which the story occurs

main character

the most important character in a story, poem, or play

conflict

the problems that happen

foreshadowing

hints that tell you whats going to happen in the future

plot

the events that take place in a story

flashback

thoughts of a character that happened in the past

protagonist

main character of a story

antagonist

the person or thing fighting against the main character

characters

carry out the action in a story, they can be people or animals

mood

the feeling the author wants the reader to have

Exposition

Introduces the characters and the setting

Initiating Event

Gets the story going, gives an idea of what is going to happen next, the problem or conflict is introduced

Rising Action

Sequence of events that increase tension and excitement

Climax

Things start to change, the most exciting part of the story, the problem is at it's highest point

Falling Action

The problem is getting ready to be solved, the action slows down, the problem begins to get better, sequence of events that lead to the resolution.

Resolution

The story falls into place, all the problems are solved, the loose ends are tied up, all questions are answered