Characters
Characters are the
first element to
look for when
reading a story or
novel. Characters
are most often
people but can be
animals or even
fictionalized beings
like those seen in
cartoons or movies.
The main character
plays the biggest
role and is often
the first character
to be introduced.
Most often the story
is seen through the
eyes of the main
character. Secondary
characters play a
smaller supporting
role and are
introduced
throughout the
story.
Setting
The setting is the
second element you
should look for when
reading a story or
novel. The setting
is the location
where the story
takes place. A story
may take place in a
home, countryside,
town, school, or
wherever the author
chooses to have the
action occur. The
setting is usually
revealed very early
in a story.
Time
The time when the
story takes place is
the third element
you should look for
when reading a story
or novel. A story
may take place very
recently or many
years ago. Usually
the time when the
story takes place is
introduced very
early in the story.
Problem
The problem is the
fourth element you
should look for in a
story or novel. The
problem most often
grows out of a
conflict between the
main character and
another character in
the story. But the
problem can also
involve a
circumstance such as
a hurricane, a war,
or one of the many
obstacles that
produce a conflict
in life.
Events
Events are the fifth
element you should
look for when
reading a story or
novel. An event is
an attempt at
solving the problem
in the story. In a
story there are
usually a number of
attempts to solve
the problem and
these events make up
most of the story.
Solution
A solution is the
sixth and final
element in a story
or novel. The
solution is how the
problem is resolved
or brought to an
end. Most often the
solution is revealed
near the end of the
story. Sometimes the
solution is not
revealed until the
very last page or
even the final
paragraph of the
story.
