Story Elements
The main character of the story who usually has the most changes.
Protagonist
A series of small complications in a story that build suspense.
Rising Actions
Internal or External?
The type of conflict that occurs within the character's mind.
Internal Conflict
The life lesson learned at the end of the story.
Theme
Point of View or Irony?
A contrast between what happens and what was expected to happen.
Irony
6 Elements (parts) of ____:
Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling actions, and Resolution
6 Elements (parts) of Plot
The turning point of the story where the big questions are answered; usually the most suspenseful part of the story.
Climax
Internal or External?
The type of conflict that occurs between the main character and an outside force or person.
External Conflict
A theme that can be applied to anyone, anywhere, and at anytime.
Universal Theme
Point of View?
I couldn't believe that he wanted to play cards at a time like "Would you like to play spades?" he asked nonchalantly, while hovering over my breakup. "No, I don't want to play cards, you twit. My world has been destroyed," I replied in seething rage. He shrugged and continued shuffling the deck.
1st person POV
5 elements of ____:
Characters, setting, theme, conflict, plot
5 elements of a story
Beginning of the story where the reader learns about the characters and setting.
Exposition
Man vs ___ :
Angela is having the time of her life on a cruise ship with food and fun all around her. Just as she is preparing for the limbo competition, the ship crashes into an iceberg, which punctures the hull and causes the ship to sink. Now she and a group of strangers must fight for survival on a life raft deep in the ice-cold ocean waters with limited supplies. Can she stay alive until a rescue team arrives?
Man vs. Nature
The best way to find the theme of the story is to look at how the ______________ changes.
protagonist/main character
Irony?
It was the ninth inning and Bryant's team was down by two. Runners were on first and second base and Bryant was up to bat. He could tie the game, maybe even win it if he got a good hit. Bryant stared down the pitcher with a cold steel gaze as the ball floated from his hand. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Bryant twirled awkwardly. He swung the bat and somehow hit the ball with the bottom of the handle. The ball gently bounced away from Bryant and landed directly in the third baseman's mitt. This caused a force out. The third baseman tossed it to the second basemen, causing a second force out. He threw it to first, and Bryant was responsible for a triple play. As the players lined up to exchange handshakes at the end of the game, the pitcher stared coolly at Bryant. They shook hands, and the pitcher said, "Nice hit, Champ. Way to get a hold of it." Bryant had never felt more embarrassed.
Verbal Irony
The part of the story plot where the main conflict is introduced. It begins the rising actions.
Inciting Incident
Events after the climax that help tie up the loose ends of the story.
Falling actions
Man vs. ___:
It's 1938 and Max Schnell is a native German citizen wondering if the world has gone mad around him. His Jewish friends and neighbors have been forbidden to own businesses, work in retail stores, drive cars, go to the movies, or attend public schools. Seeking to raise awareness and to build a resistance against this anti-Semitic movement, Max begins printing an underground newspaper. How long can Max continue his publishing activities without being caught by the Nazis? Will it be long enough to make a difference?
Man vs. Society
The part of the story plot where the reader learns the theme of the story.
(Think: exposition .. rising action .. climax .. falling action .. resolution)
Resolution
Point of View?
The magician took off his stovepipe hat and placed it on the table. He waved his hands over the hat and said, "Alakazam! Alakazoo!" A small group of people was watching the magician perform on a sidewalk. The magician reached deep into the hat. He pulled out his fist and slowly opened it. There was a tiny foam ball in his hand. He held up one finger, and then he closed his fist again. This time when he opened it, there were three foam balls. The people in the crowd gasped.
3rd person point of view
Where and when a story takes place. Readers can learn this element through descriptions of the weather, time of day, time of year, or the culture of the characters.
Setting
The part of a story where the main conflict is resolved and the reader understands the theme or lesson of the story.
Resolution
Man vs. ___?
Beth wanted to look just like the famous pop star Lady Goo-goo, so she went to the hair stylist and requested a drastic new haircut, one that required her shaving half of her head. When she left the hair stylist, it looked pretty good, but now it is the morning of a school day and she finds that she cannot recreate the look. Can Beth pull off the Lady Goo-goo look? Will she be able to muster the courage to go to school if she cannot? Find out in this thrilling epic.
Man vs. Self
Determine the theme:
The Monkey and the Cookies
A monkey put his hand into a jar of cookies. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the cookie jar. Unwilling to lose the cookies, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his disappointment.
Do not be greedy.
Irony?
Axel was the toughest kid on the playground. He wore a leather jacket with cutoff sleeves and metal studs on the shoulders. He had a Mohawk hairstyle, listened to punk rock music, and hung out with the older kids. He rode his skateboard to school and did noseslides on the bike rack. He viscously beat anyone who challenged him. Yet, after a long day of being really tough, Axel's mommy tucked him into bed at night. Then he snuggled up tightly with a fluffy pink bear that he called Mr. Tickles.
Situational Irony