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Apr 10, 2022 · Whether it’s a short story, novel, or play, every type of story has the same basic elements. Today, we’re taking a look at the seven key elements of a story, as well as the five elements of plot. Knowing these essential elements will ensure that your story is well-developed and engaging.
- Setting. The first of the story elements is the story setting. All stories have a setting. The setting includes the time and place in which the story will be taking place.
- Characters. The next of the elements of a story is the characters. Of course, characters are one of the most important elements of a novel or short story.
- Conflict. Nobody wants to read a novel or short story without conflict – so you’ll find every story will have some sort of conflict. What would be the point?
- Theme. The next of the story elements is theme. The theme is the author’s central argument or big idea they want to convey. Themes are often associated with a ‘moral of a story’ or an analogy (a hidden meaning in the text).
- Characters. Characters are the most familiar element in stories. Every story has at least one main character. Stories can also have multiple secondary characters, such as supporting characters and villain/s.
- Setting. Settings in stories refer to three things: Location, Time Period and Mood. The easiest element to understand is location. Location is the physical place/s the story takes part in mostly.
- Plot. The plot explains what a story is about from beginning to end. It can contain multiple scenes and events. In its simplest form, a plot has a beginning, middle and end.
- Conflict. A story is not a story without conflict. Conflict is also a key part of a story’s plot (see section above). The purpose of conflict in stories is to challenge your characters and push them to their limits.
- Theme. Before you can work out what’s driving your characters or your plot, it helps to know what’s driving you to write this story in the first place.
- Characters. Your characters give your story the depth it needs to keep readers wanting more — they are, quite literally, the life force of your story.
- Setting. The setting is the world in which your story will take place — this includes the broader locations and time, as well as more specific details like your characters’ school or workplace.
- Plot. Now we’re getting to the main event — the plot, aka the things that actually happen in your story. In almost all genres (the exception being literary fiction), as your story progresses, the stakes for your protagonist escalate and lead to an inevitable climax.
These include: a protagonist, an antagonist, setting, perspective, an objective, stakes, rising action, falling action, symbolism, language, theme, and verisimilitude. It’s these key elements that make us care deeply for the characters, their journey, and the lessons they learn along the way.
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Feb 6, 2024 · Stories are constructed using eight key literary elements, each serving a distinct role in narrative development. Let’s delve into an overview of these elements: Plot: The sequence of events that unfold in a story, providing structure and direction.
Jan 9, 2024 · The key components ranging from the storyline, the protagonists and antagonists, the central message, the backdrop, the conflictual situations, narrative perspective, the author’s unique fingerprint in word choice and flow, and the emotional environment set by the narration, all come together to create an immersive literary experience.
