Elements of a Story

The Five Essential Elements

Of A Story

A story has five basic but important elements. These five components are:  

the characters,

the setting,

the plot,

the conflict, and

the resolution.

These essential elements keep the story running smoothly and allow the action to develop in a logical way that the reader can follow.

CHARACTERS

The characters are the individuals that the story is about. The author should introduce the characters in the story with enough information that the reader can visualize each person.

This is achieved by providing detailed descriptions of a character’s physical attributes

and personality traits (refer to the write up on describing a person).

Every story should have a main character. The main character determines the way the plot will develop and is usually who will solve the problem the story centers upon. However, the other characters are also very important because they supply additional details, explanations, or actions. All characters should stay true to the author’s descriptions throughout the story so that the reader can understand and believe

the action that is taking place—and perhaps even predict which character may do what

next.

SETTING

The setting is the location of the action. An author should describe the environment or

surroundings of the story in such detail that the reader feels that he or she can picture the scene (refer to the write up on describing a place).

Unusual settings (such as a fantasy world) can be interesting, but everyday settings

can help a reader to better visualize the story and feel connected to the plot!

PLOT

The plot is the actual story around which the entire book is based. A plot should have a

very clear beginning, middle, and end—with all the necessary descriptions and suspense, called exposition—so that the reader can make sense of the action and follow along from start to finish.

CONFLICT

Every story has a conflict to solve. The plot is centered on this conflict and the ways in

which the characters attempt to resolve the problem. When the story’s action becomes

most exciting, right before the resolution, it is called the climax.

CLIMAX

The turning point in the plot – a moment of culminating intensity.

RESOLUTION

The solution to the problem is the way the action is resolved. For example, a compromise for two fighting characters or helping fixing any mistakes the characters made.