Story Elements Vocabulary
The people, animals, and things in the story.
Characters
In the Summer during the day would be an example of what story element?
Setting
The narrator is a character in the story, telling the story. Clue words used are I, me, we, us, mine, our.
First person
That's the point of view in the story below?
I like to ride the bus to school everyday. I sit with my friends and we play games. I look out the window and watch the houses and cars go by. I bump up and down as the bus goes over the hills. Riding the bus is so much fun!
First Person
Manny was not afraid of anything. He tried new things all the time and would stand up for what he thought was the right thing to do. What could be a character trait for Manny?
Brave...or something similar to brave.
The conflict or issue happening in the story.
Problem
Harris wanted to have a pet. He asked his father to give him an animal that he could take care of by himself. His father had no idea what animal to give his son. He brought Harris to a pet shop. Harris was so delighted to see different kinds of animals. He asked his father to buy him a hamster.
What is the setting of this story?
Pet Shop
The narrator is not a character in the story, telling the story from outside of the story. Clue words used are he, she, they, them, their.
Third person
Angie had a brand new book on dinosaurs.
This sentence is third person point of view. What clue word in the sentence shows you this?
Angie; character's name
Mary had been trying to solve the same math problem for an hour. She kept writing and rewriting the problem over and over again. When she kept getting the wrong answer, she put her hands on her head, leaned back in her chair and said, “I quit!!!!"
What would be a good character trait to describe Mary?
Frustrated...or a synonym for frustrated.
When and where a story takes place.
Setting
A farmer had an old apple tree in his garden that was not growing apples. He decided to tend to the apple tree to make it come to life again. After watering the tree and giving it nutrients, the old apple tree started to grow fresh apples again.
Who was the character in the story?
The Farmer
The narrator is not a character in the story and telling the thoughts and feelings of one character.
Third person limited
You watched them curiously, but when one of them saw you looking, you quickly ducked your head and turned away. The embarrassment was clearly all over your face. What's the point of view?
Second Person
Jose was jumping up and down and watching out the window. He could not wait for his mother to get home. She was bringing his new baby sister home for the first time. He wanted to see her and play with her for the first time.
Excited...or a synonym for excited.
Solution
Mark and his brother Matthew had a huge fight. Matthew wore Mark's football cleats without asking for permission. Mark needed to use them for his game the next day. When Matthew arrived home, their mother told him to return the cleats.
What is the problem of the story?
Mark wore Mark's football cleats without asking and Mark needed them for his game.
The narrator is talking to the reader. Clue words used are you, your, yourself.
Second Person
Out of nowhere, she slapped my face, and I didn't know how to react. I was shocked! What could I have done or said to deserve that?...What's the point of view?
First Person
Grant never wants to share his things. When his friends come over, he will only let them play with the toys that he does not want to play with. He does not ever give his friends a chance to use his things or share any of his snacks or treats.
What character trait would describe Grant?
Selfish
The pieces or parts that make up a story.
Caden knew how to spell big words, and he knew what the words meant. When he took the vocabulary test in class last week, he was the first kid in the class to finish. He turned it in quickly and didn’t check his work. When the teacher told him his grade, Caden’s face turned bright red. He had failed. She told him that he could retake it. Caden took his time and checked his work. When the teacher gave him his grade, it was a perfect score, just like he wanted.
What is the solution of this story?
The teacher let Caden retake his test. Caden took his time and check his work and make a perfect score.
The perspective in which a story is told.
Point of View
What's the point of view of the story below?
Tommy's mom told him that he needed a haircut. Tommy thought his hair looked cool the way it was, so he whined all the way to Sports Clips. The stylist took one look at Tommy and thought "I wonder what is wrong with Tommy?" He whispered to Tommy, and Tommy grinned. Tommy hopped into the chair, and the stylist started snipping away. In 15 minutes, Tommy was the proud owner of a Mohawk.
Third Person Omniscient
Ms. Romulus has gone skydiving, jumped off cliffs, and zip-lined through a forest. She is very _____________.
Adventurous