Story Elements
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What is the very beginning of a story called, when the characters and setting are introduced?
Exposition
The storm punched the windows and howled at the door.
PERSONification! People can punch and howl - storms cannot!
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In Restart, the author describes events in the order they happen, beginning with Chase waking up and then moving through the school year.
What text structure is being used here?
Chronological order / Sequence
In a story, the narrator says, “I couldn’t believe my luck as I opened the envelope.”
What point of view is being used? How do you know?
First Person POV
A writer shows a character saying, “I can’t believe this is happening!”
Which narrative technique is being used?
Dialogue
Which part of the plot shows the most exciting or intense moment, often called the turning point?
Climax
What is an idiom?
A phrase or expression whose meaning is different from the literal words
Two characters in a story both want to be leaders. One uses kindness to influence others, while the other uses fear.
If the author highlights their differences and similarities, what text structure is being used?
Compare and Contrast
The narrator tells the reader, “You step onto the stage, and the spotlight blinds you.”
What point of view is this, and when this this POV typically used?
Second Person POV / Manuals, recipes, instructions etc.
In a story, the author writes, “She slammed the door and stomped down the hall.”
What technique is being used, and how does it help the reader?
Action; it reveals the character’s emotions through behavior rather than telling.
A story ends with the main character forgiving a friend who betrayed them. What stage of the plot does this represent?
The resolution
Bitter branches barred the broken sky as the trail of worry tightened like a knot.
Name two devices.
Bitter branches barred the broken sky: Alliteration
worry tightened like a knot: Simile
A character forgets to study for a test and fears they will fail. The author shows how the character creates a study plan to fix the situation.
What text structure is being used here?
Problem and solution
DAILYYYYYY DOUBLEEEEE!!!!!
List 3 keywords for each point of view:
1. First Person
2. Second Person
3. Third Person Limited
4. Third Person Omniscient
1. First Person: I, me, my, we, us, etc.
2. Second Person: Your, you, yours
3. Third Person Limited: They, she, he, names of characters, etc.
4. Third Person Omniscient: They, she, he, names of characters, etc.
A story says, “Marcus wished he had studied harder. He worried the teacher would call on him.”
What narrative technique is being used, and what does it show us about Marcus?
Inner thoughts - he is nervous.
Two stories both include a character who stands up against unfair treatment. In one story the character speaks out in class, and in the other the character risks danger to protect a friend. What theme do these different situations share?
Courage means standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult or risky.
“After practice, my legs were noodles; I couldn’t climb a single stair.”
Identify both devices and explain why an author might choose them over literal wording.
My legs were noodles: Metaphor
I couldn't climb a single stair: Hyperbole
In a story, a character leaves the gate open. Because of this, the dog runs away and the family spends days worried about finding it.
What text structure does this represent, and why?
Cause and effect
In a passage, the narrator explains only what Maya thinks and feels: “Maya gripped the pencil, hoping her answer was right.” The narrator does not reveal other characters’ thoughts.
What POV is being described?
Third Person Limited
The author writes, “Golden sunlight poured through the cracked blinds, painting stripes across the dusty floor.”
What technique is being used, and why would the author include it here?
Description: it creates imagery to help readers visualize the setting and mood.
A student says the theme of a story is “Dogs are the best animals.” Why is this incorrect, and how could it be rewritten as a universal theme statement?
It’s incorrect because it is an opinion (a judgment about dogs) rather than a universal lesson. A stronger theme might be: “Animals can provide comfort and companionship” or “Friendship and loyalty can come from unexpected places.”
“My backpack weighed a ton, and the straps screamed against my shoulders as I trudged up the hill.”
Identify the two figurative devices and explain how they strengthen the reader’s understanding of the character’s experience.
My backpack weighed a ton: Hyperbole
The straps screamed against my shoulders: Personification
An article explains how hurricanes and tornadoes are alike in that both involve strong winds, but it also shows how they differ in size, location, and warning systems.
What text structure is the author using? Is this fiction or nonfiction?
Compare and contrast / nonfiction
A story tells us, “Jonah worried about his test, while across the room, Sara felt confident she would ace it.”
What point of view is this?
Third Person Omniscient
List the 4 narrative techniques.
Inner thoughts, action, dialogue, and description.