Elements of Narrative Structure Study Guide KEY
Narrative Structure (Parts of a Story)- In your own words, define these terms.
Plot: – the sequence of events in a literary work.
Parts of the Plot
Exposition
Initiating event
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution
How do you decide which part of the plot is the Initiating Event?
It is the start of the conflict. It is when the problem is first introduced.
How do you decide which part of the plot is the Climax?
It is the most exciting point in the story. It is either the story will end well for the character or
poorly.
Character: a person, animal, or creature who takes part in the action of a literary work.
Types of Characters
Main Characters:_ Main characters are the most important in the story, poem or play.


Protagonist – the main character of most important character in a story. This character often
changes in some important way as a result of the story’s events.
Antagonist – the character who opposes (goes against) the main character.
Minor Characters: Minor characters may take part in the actions, but are not the center of
attention
Character Personality
Dynamic changes.
Static stays the same.
How do you decide if a character is dynamic or static? You have to see if the character’s
personality or thoughts on life change. It needs to be a change within such as going from a
mean person who is greedy to someone who shares.
Elements of Narrative Structure Study Guide KEY
Conflict
Definition: a struggle between opposing forces. Characters in conflict for the basis of the story,
novel, poem, or play. There are two kinds of conflict: internal (character against self) and
external (character against another individual or nature). A story may have both.
Types of Conflict
Internal:when a character has an inner struggle that cannot been seen such as a decision
Character vs. self
Example: Do I study for my test or go to a movie?
External:_when a character has a struggle with a force outside of themselves that they cannot
control.
Character vs. character
Example: The two dogs fight over a bone.
Character vs. nature
Example: The captain must survive the ocean’s storm.
Character vs. Society
Example: The mermaid wants to marry a human even though it is forbidden in mermaid law.
Theme: the main idea or point of the story. It is also the overall message. Stories can have
more than one theme.
How to Find the Theme
-The author will directly tell the reader; in this case it is usually in the last paragraph the passage
-The reader uses clues from the story and looks at the conflict in the story and what the
character learned from their experience.
Common Themes in Literature
-Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
-_slow and steady wins the race
-_love conquers all
Setting: _the time and place of a story
Example: present day in Sterling, VA
Setting helps create the mood , which means how the author makes you feel.
Elements of Narrative Structure Study Guide KEY
Wailing Well
by Kelly Hashway
“I dare you! Unless you’re too scared!” Eric said.
Charlie couldn’t pass up a dare. She was the toughest kid in the fifth grade. She wasn’t
going to let a little thing like fear ruin her reputation.
“No problem.” Charlie shoved her hands in her pockets before anyone could notice they
were shaking. So what if there was a kid-hungry troll living in the well on the
abandoned lot? She could take a quick peek and run before it climbed up to eat
her—right? She pushed through the crowd of kids and marched to the
abandoned lot. Her palms were sweaty. No one went near the “Wailing Well.” A
stray cat had jumped on the edge of it and something pulled it into the well. It
happened so fast that no one saw what did it. But now a horrible wailing came
from the well.
Wailing came from the well and Charlie froze. Charlie was scared, but
she wouldn’t admit it, especially to Eric. “You’re the one that’s scared. Why else
would you dare people to look in the well? You’re too chicken to do it yourself!”
“Am not!” Eric walked over to Charlie. He gulped, and for the first time,
Charlie realized he wasn’t so tough. He put on a good show, but he was all talk.
She wondered if he thought the same about her.
Charlie grabbed Eric’s sleeve and charged at the well. Something hairy moved inside.
Yellow eyes glowed up at her. The wailing was replaced by a scratching sound, like nails on
rock. The creature was climbing up to get them!
Eric screamed and ran. Charlie squinted at the creature. She cranked the bucket,
lowering it into the well. She heard a soft thump and cranked the bucket back up. Charlie pulled
a gray kitten out of the bucket. “The cat didn’t get pulled into the well. It fell. It got hurt, too.
That’s why it was wailing.”
“What are you going to do with it?” Alyson asked.
“I’ll bring it to the vet,” Charlie said. “I’ll put up some fliers, and if no one claims it, I’ll keep it.”
She scratched the top of the kitten’s head and it purred.”I’ll even name it Troll.”
Exposition- Present, near a well
Rising Action- Charlie realizes Eric is scared too and grabs his sleeve.
Climax- Charlie and Eric approach the well and see something looking up at them.
Falling Action- Eric screams and runs, but Charlie cranks the bucket up.
Resolution- Charlie agrees to keep the kitten.
Who is the protagonist? _Charlie Who is the antagonist? _Eric
What is the main conflict of the story? Charlie is scared to approach the well, but wants to prove herself.
Is the conflict external or internal? Internal
What is a theme from the story? Face your fears.
Elements of Narrative Structure Study Guide KEY
Rising Action
Falling Action
Resolution
Exposition
Climax
Initiating Event
Climax
4.
5.
Rising Action
Falling Action
3.
6.
Resolution
2.
1.
Initiating Event
Exposition
Label the Plot Structure.