Basic Story Elements

The highest point of action/turning point in a story

When an event occurs in the text that directly contradicts the reader's expectations

The part of the story where problems are solved

Important hints that an author drops to prepare the reader for what is to come

The person or force that works against the hero of the story

The part of the story where conflicts arise and lead up to the climax

The problem or struggle in the story

The place and/or time frame of a story

The main message about life or human nature that is the "focus" in the story

Action and dialogue that follows the climax and leads to the story's ending

Interruption in the story to present something that occured before the beginning of the story

The planned action or series of events in a story

Perspective from which the story is told

The main character/hero in a story

Language that has meaning beyond the literal meaning