4-3 Writing Narratives

Key Concepts

• Plot
• Setting
• Characters
• Conflict

Plot

The plot is the sequence of events that make up a story. It typically includes the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The plot drives the story forward and keeps the reader engaged.

Example: In "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," the plot begins with the Pevensie children discovering Narnia, leading to their adventures and eventual triumph over the White Witch.

Analogy: Think of the plot as the roadmap of a journey. Each event is a stop along the way, leading to the final destination.

Setting

The setting is the time and place in which a story takes place. It includes the physical location, the time period, and the cultural environment. The setting can influence the characters and the plot.

Example: In "To Kill a Mockingbird," the setting is the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s. This setting plays a crucial role in the story's themes and events.

Analogy: The setting is like the stage on which a play is performed. It provides the backdrop and context for the characters' actions.

Characters

Characters are the people or animals in a story. They can be protagonists (heroes), antagonists (villains), or supporting characters. Characters drive the plot and develop through their actions and interactions.

Example: In "Harry Potter," Harry is the protagonist, Voldemort is the antagonist, and Hermione and Ron are supporting characters who play essential roles in the story.

Analogy: Characters are like actors in a play. Each actor has a role to play, and their interactions drive the story forward.

Conflict

Conflict is the struggle or problem that the characters face in a story. It can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or between a character and the environment). Conflict is essential for creating tension and driving the plot.

Example: In "Romeo and Juliet," the conflict is the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets, which leads to the tragic deaths of the two lovers.

Analogy: Conflict is like the engine of a car. Without it, the story would not move forward, and the characters would not develop.