All stories that we read can be broken up into different parts - these we call the elements of the story. We will have a look at the 6 elements that make up a story and the meaning of each.
Once you are done going through it and understand it, choose any story (a short story or a novel) and after you have read it, see if you can find the different elements of that story and write your own essay explaining the different parts. (you can read the different elements and also think about a movie you have seen - it has the same elements as a book)
For enrichment - have a look at the slideshow on http://slideplayer.com/slide/6513318/
First answer the following questions (do research if you do not know the answers)
- What is the difference between a short story and a novel?
- What is the difference between non-fiction and fiction?
- What is the difference between a poem and prose?
The 6 main elements of a story are
- characters
- plot
- setting
- point of view
- theme
- conflict
Characters
This does not only have to be people, it can also be animals. The characters are the element the story is based on and revolves around. There can be more than one character in a story and a story usually have a main character (the same as in a movie)
The characters are not always the same person that tells the story. A character has certain characteristics and the author/writer of the story will give certain information about a specific character by
- a physical description - what they look like
- what they think or say or do
- what other people think about this person
source
Plot
It is the sequence/manner in which things happens in a story. There will be a logical development and the story will have a beginning, a middle and an end that makes sense and follows one another in a specific order.
Setting
This is the place and time when a story takes place.
Theme
The main idea of a story or the reason why a story was written. There can be different themes like 'everything is not always what it seems', 'love is blind', 'don't judge a book by its cover' etc. For enrichment you can read here.
Point of view
This is the story teller's approach towards the events taking place - from which angle he looks at a situation. Everybody's point of view can differ - you have another idea about discipline as what your friend does. It all depends how you look at it.
Conflict
This is the problems that the characters encounter. There are different conflict situations
- somebody is in conflict with other people
- somebody is in conflict with nature
- somebody is in conflict with their circumstances for example poverty
- somebody is in conflict with themselves
This is a short summary of the different elements of a story. Watch the video and try and analyze your own story.
Great piece you've got here Ma!
Don't know about others but this was more than an information. It's quite educative and I must commend your effort in putting the content in a short yet rich and educating.
Thanks for sharing to @education community. I am looking forward to reading more contents such as this from you. Blessings.
I'm @voclab
Advocate @edu-nigeria
Thank you for the kind words