Story elements are the basic parts that make up a story. Understanding these helps readers make sense of what they read.
Think of story elements as puzzle pieces. When put together, they make the full picture of the story.
Characters are the people, animals, or creatures in a story. They are the ones who think, talk, and act in the events.
Ask yourself: Who is this story about? Who is making choices or facing challenges?
Setting is the place and time where the story happens. It tells us where and when the events take place.
Look for words that describe where characters are and what time of day, season, or year it is.
Plot is the series of events in a story. Every story has a problem (something that goes wrong) and a solution (how the problem is solved).
When reading, ask: What is the big problem? How is it solved? This will help you understand the main idea of the story.
Theme is the message or lesson the author wants readers to learn from the story. It is sometimes called the “big idea.”
The theme is not the same as the plot. Instead, it is the lesson you can apply to real life.