Plot/story Elements

Front 1

what happens in a
fiction story

Back 1

plot

Front 2

sequence of events in
fiction story

Back 2

plot

Front 3

time, place and background in
which the events of a story take place

Back 3

setting

Front 4

when and where a story
takes place

Back 4

setting

Front 5

people or animals in
the story

Back 5

characters

Front 6

the main character
who changes throughout the
story due to conflict.

Back 6

protagonist

Front 7

the character also known as the "good guy"

Back 7

protagonist

Front 8

character who works against main character and contributes the conflict.

Back 8

antagonist

Front 9

the character also known as the "bad guy"

Back 9

antagonist

Front 10

The inciting incident. A struggle between the antagonist and the protagonist

Back 10

conflict

Front 11

Part of plot that's also known as the problem or the challenge of the story

Back 11

conflict

Front 12

an internal conflict between the character and himself.
Example: Waterboy

Back 12

Man vs. Self

Front 13

an external conflict where the good guy vs. the bad guy.
Example: Dodgeball / Wyle Coyote and Road Runner

Back 13

Man vs. Man

Front 14

an external conflict where character struggles with a force of nature (natural disaster, animal, illness)
Example. Twister / Survivor

Back 14

Man vs. Nature

Front 15

an external conflict where character or group of characters fight against society.
Example. Shrek / Borat

Back 15

Man vs. Society

Front 16

an external conflict where character is against technology.
Example: Terminator / IROBOT

Back 16

Man vs. Machine

Front 17

part of the plot where conflict takes place leading to the climax.

Back 17

rising action

Front 18

Part of plot where story starts building suspense.

Back 18

rising action

Front 19

Part of the plot where the setting, characters, and problem are introduced.

Back 19

exposition

Front 20

Part of the plot also known as the introduciton

Back 20

exposition

Front 21

Part of the plot that is the story's most emotional or suspenseful moment.

Back 21

climax

Front 22

Part of the plot that is the turning point and most revealing moment.

Back 22

climax

Front 23

Part of the plot where the conflicts are worked out and resolved.

Back 23

Falling action

Front 24

Part of the plot where all the drama subsides and calms.

Back 24

falling action

Front 25

Part of the plot also called the denouement.

Back 25

Resolution

Front 26

The part of the plot that is the last part of the story where all loose ends are tied up and the story is closed. Also called the conclusion.

Back 26

resolution

Front 27

underlying feeling or atmosphere produced by story.

Back 27

mood

Front 28

what is the feeling created by the story

Back 28

mood

Front 29

The meaning or concept we are left with after reading.

Back 29

theme

Front 30

Answers "What did you learn from this story?"

Back 30

theme