Elements of a Story
Eleven by Sandra Cisneros
I. Plot
• The series of events that
make up a story
• Usually built around a
central conflict (problem or
struggles)
Four Stages of Plot
• 1-Exposition
• 2-Rising Action
• 3-Climax
• 4-Falling Action
• 5-Resolution
Plot Diagram
3
2
1
4
5
1. Exposition
Introduces the characters,
setting, background
information of the story.
Often the conflict is
introduced.
2. Rising Action
This part of the story begins to develop the
conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense
occurs. Story becomes more and more
complicated as the conflict develops.
3. Climax
This is the turning point of the story. Usually
the main character comes face to face with
a conflict. Outcome of the conflict is
decided. The main character will change
in some way.
4. Falling Action
• All loose ends
of the plot are
tied up. The
conflict(s) and
climax are
taken care of.
5. Resolution
• The story
comes to a
reasonable
ending.
Putting It All Together
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
Beginning of
Story
Middle of Story
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
End of Story
Applying Plot to Eleven
• What is the big conflict in the story, Eleven?
• Is it the sweater? Is it Mrs. Price? Is it
Sylvia? Is it Rachel?
II. Characters
• People, animals and imaginary creatures who
take part in the action of the story.
• Main Characters- action centered on one
important character, also called the Protagonistpushes toward something.
• Minor Characters- Less important charactersthey interact with main character and help the
story move along. Could be the antagonist“bad guy” pushes against the protagonist and
tries to block him/her from reaching his goal.
• Traits- Characters are revealed by their traits
or qualities. You can learn about the
character’s traits by paying attention to their
speech, thoughts, actions of other characters,
writer’s direct statements, and their physical
characteristics.
Applying Character to Eleven
• EX: “That’s not, I don’t, you’re not…Not
mine,” I finally say in a little voice that was
maybe me when I was four.” Page 28
• Based on this quote what can you infer
about Rachel’s character traits/qualities?
• Shy/outgoing-Which word best describes
Rachel, why?
Affect of Qualities of character on
plot and resolution of conflict
• How does Rachel’s character traits
(qualities) affect (influence) the story
line?...the end?
III. Setting
• The time and place in which a story
occurs.
• Ex. Past, present, future, day or
night, may be imaginary or real.
• A writer’s vivid and descriptions
help readers picture the setting. The
setting can influence characters’
actions, and often plays the role of
the conflicts that develop and how
they are resolved.
Applying Setting to Eleven
• What is the setting in Eleven? How do you
know?
• The setting in Eleven is in Rachel’s math
classroom. We know this because the
narrator, Rachel, talks about Mrs. Price her
teacher, her desk, other students, and bell
rings for lunch, therefore, we can infer that
the setting is at school.
Affect of setting on plot
• How does the setting in Eleven effect
(influence) the story?
IV. Point of View
• Stories are often
written from a
particular viewpoint.
• Viewpoint determines
reader’s understanding
of the characters and
events of the story.
• 1st person vs. 3rd
person
Applying Point of View to Eleven
• Whose point of view is the story told from?
• What if the story was told from another
character’s point of view? How would this
alter the story line?
• The point of view influences how the reader
will react or respond.
V. External and Internal
Conflict
• First of all, what is a conflict?
A conflict is a struggle (problem) between
opposing forces. Almost every story is built
around a central conflict faced by the main
character.
An External Conflict is a struggle
between a character and an outside force,
such as society, nature, or another
character.
-character vs. character
-character vs. society
-character vs. nature
• An Internal Conflict is a struggle within
the character’s mind. It may occur when
the character has to make a decision or deal
with opposing feelings. (Character vs. self)
Conflict in Eleven
• Character vs. Character- Rachel is in
conflict with Mrs. Price or/and Sylvia
Salvidar
VI. Theme
• The meaning or moral of a story.
• Writer’s create themes to express their
ideas about life and human nature.
Most themes are not stated openly.
Some clues to a story’s theme:
-the title
-the actions, thoughts, and words of the
characters
-the conflicts in the story
-the setting and the images the writer
creates
Applying Theme to Eleven
• What is the theme in Eleven?
• The theme in Eleven could be…
VII. Reading Strategies
• Inferences is a reading strategy (also
used in the real world) An educated
guess formed by using background
knowledge and personal experiences to
draw conclusions not explicitly stated.
• Questioning
• Predicting
• Visualizing
• Connecting
VIII. Figurative Language
• Figurative language is a tool that an
author employs (or uses) to help the reader
visualize (or see) what is happening in a
story or poem. Some common types of
figurative language are: simile, metaphor,
alliteration, onomatopoeia, idiom, puns,
and sensory language. In this class, we
will cover imagery, simile, metaphor,
personification and idioms.
• Imagery is when the reader uses descriptive
words that appeal to the reader’s senses.
• A simile is a comparison using like or as. It
usually compares 2 dissimilar objects
• EXAMPLE:
• His feet were as big as boats
• We are comparing _______ to _______, which
means they are probably _______!!!
• A metaphor states that one thing IS something
else. It is a comparison, but it does NOT use like
or as to make the comparison.
• EXAMPLE:
• Her hair is silk. The sentence is comparing (or
stating) that hair is silk.
• Personification-giving objects human
characteristics
• EXAMPLE: The sun wrapped its arms
around my shoulders. (The sun does not
really have arms, but I using personification
to express how hot my shoulders feel.)
• Symbolism- person, place or object that
stands for something other than itself
• Idioms-an expression that has a meaning
different from its individual words.