Story Elements
Elements of story have traditionally been associated with fiction. However they can be used by readers and viewers with respect to any story in any media and for any genre. The more experiences a person has with the different use of these elements in stories, the greater their enjoyment and understanding of different literary pieces.
Students who experience stories begin to conceptualize categories: character, setting, plot, theme, point of view, style, and tone, will become aware of the power to recognize these elements within a story. This recognition will increase their ability to make accurate predictions about stories and provide a framework to increase understanding and remembering for them. Ultimately as they interact with more stories the comparison of how elements are different in different stories will lead to a critical analysis and evaluation of stories through these elements. This analysis will lead them to see similarities and differences among genre and qualities of stories as they grow to appreciate quality literature and begin a life long enjoyment of literature.
Story Element Resources
- Description of story elements and quality characteristics with examples for fiction genre
- Chart of children' development of story element ideas
- See Genre for story elements within different genre
Story Elements and Genre
Considering how story elements are the same and different within and among genre can be a very good way to analyze and critically evaluate stories and literature. Ideas for this kind of analysis is available at links at the Genre Page with each specific genre.
Teacher Tool Box for Story Elements
- Introductory activity to review story elements and wonder about point of view in the picture book - The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear
- Bland story element planning grid and sample for Tops and Bottoms
Characterization
- Character Comparison
- Plot and one character frame 1
- Plot and one character frame 2
- Character chart
- Character portraits
- Character venn diagram - 2 rings
- Character venn diagram - 3 rings
- Picture frames page
- Book character report card
- Character comparison frame
Setting
Plot
- Plot (1)
- Plot and one character (1)
- Plot and one character (2)
- Plot frame 1
- Plot frame 2
- Chain of Events page
- Story map primary grades
- Story map upper grades
- Map for Hobbit
- Map for Bendy's Quest
Theme
Point of View
Style
- Colors and their signifiance for tone in literature and art
- Style
- Animal similes and metaphor
- Identifying similes and metaphors
- Comparisons in similes and metaphors
- Random creation of similes and metaphors
- Poem with similes and metaphors
- Personification
- Idioms
Tone
Style Combinations
Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©