Where and When?
A story takes place in a busy New York City subway during the morning rush hour. What is the setting?
A busy New York City subway during morning rush hour.
A character is alone in a dark forest at night. She hears branches snapping behind her. How might the setting affect her?
She may become frightened, cautious, or nervous.
A story takes place during a snowstorm. The roads become impossible to travel. What part of the plot might this affect?
The characters’ ability to travel/reach someone/get somewhere.
A character is lost in a dark forest at night. Change the setting to a sunny beach. What might change first?
The character’s feelings/actions and the type of obstacles they face.
“Snow covered the road, and the family could not drive to town.”
How does the setting impact the plot?
The snow prevents them from traveling to town.
A story takes place in a small fishing village in the 1800s. Identify the where and when.
Where = small fishing village. When = the 1800s.
A character moves from a quiet rural town to a huge crowded city. What might change about the character’s behavior?
She may become more cautious, overwhelmed, independent, social, etc., depending on evidence.
A character is stranded on an island. How might the setting create conflict?
Being isolated can make it difficult to get food, communicate, escape, or get help.
A story about a student getting lost at school takes place during the day. What could change if it happened at night?
Visibility, safety, emotions, available help, etc.
“The crowded hallway made Liam nervous. He kept looking for somewhere quiet.”
How does the setting impact Liam?
The crowded hallway makes him nervous and causes him to look for a quiet place.
Which is part of setting: character’s personality, location, time period, or conflict?
Location and time period.
A boy must cross a frozen lake to get home. How could the setting affect his decision-making?
The dangerous ice may cause him to slow down, find another route, or take greater precautions.
How can weather affect the events of a story?
It can create obstacles, change plans, create conflict, or force characters to make decisions.
A character is trying to win a race on a flat track. Change the setting to a steep mountain. How could this affect the character?
The character would face greater physical difficulty and might need a different strategy.
“The old bridge shook every time the wind blew. Elena decided to take the longer path.”
What does the setting cause Elena to do?
She chooses a different route because the bridge is unsafe.
A story takes place during a hurricane. What part of the setting could strongly affect what the characters are able to do?
The dangerous weather/conditions.
Explain how a setting can reveal something about a character.
A character’s response to the setting can reveal feelings, personality, fears, values, or growth.
A character needs to escape a building, but the only exit is blocked by a flood. How does the setting impact the plot?
The flood creates an obstacle that changes what the character must do next.
Change the setting of a camping story from summer to winter. Name two things that could change.
Clothing, weather, available food, dangers, activities, character behavior, conflict, etc.
“Because the village had no electricity, the family gathered around the fireplace each night.”
How does the setting impact the characters’ behavior?
The lack of electricity causes the family to gather around the fireplace.
Why is identifying the setting important when analyzing a story?
Because the setting can affect characters, conflicts, decisions, and events in the plot.
Two characters enter a haunted house. One is excited, while the other is terrified. How can the same setting affect them differently?
Their different personalities, experiences, or beliefs can cause different reactions to the same setting.
Explain how changing the setting can change the entire plot of a story.
A different location, time, or environment can create different obstacles, opportunities, conflicts, and character choices.
If you could change the setting of any story you’ve read this year, what would you change and how might it change the plot?
Student must explain a logical cause-and-effect relationship.
The school had recently moved into a much larger building. At first, Jordan constantly got lost between classes and arrived late.”
Explain the impact of the setting on both character and plot.
The unfamiliar/larger school causes Jordan to feel/act uncertain and causes him to get lost and arrive late.