Lesson 6: Story Elements
The first story ever told was probably told by cave dwellers around a campfire thousands of
years ago. We don't know who told it, or when, or where, or why. But we can make a good
guess regarding what the first story was about:
Something happens to someone, somewhere.
Believe it or not, every story ever told can be summed up in this way. The "something" that
happens is the plot, or the action of the story. The "someone" is the people in the story,
who are called characters. The "somewhere" is called the setting. In a good story, the
plot, character, and setting all work together to create a whole world for the reader to
enjoy.
In this lesson, you'll read two stories. Each is set during a different time in history. As you read,
notice how the time and place in which it is set affects the characters in it.
TIP 1: All genres of fiction have plots, characters, and settings.
No matter what kind of story you read, each one will have a plot, characters, and setting. Here
are some of the most common genres, or kinds, of fiction.
 realistic fiction — The story is believable; it could happen to anyone. The main
character often faces a conflict involving his emotions or thoughts.
 fantasy — The story has one or more features not seen in our world, such as magic, time
travel, or talking animals.
 historical fiction — The story is set during some time in the past. These stories
sometimes include actual historical figures.
 contemporary fiction — The story takes place in today's world.
 science fiction — A type of fantasy story, set in a time and place in which technology
has reshaped society in major ways. The unusual setting often helps to highlight human
problems all the more.
 mystery — Someone commits a crime. In finding the criminal, a detective—the most
fully drawn character in the story—must unravel a web of clues before pinning down
the suspect.
 folktale — A traditional story handed down from generation to generation by word of
mouth. Types of folktales include fables, tall tales, myths, legends, and epics.
 myth — A folktale that answers basic questions about the world. Myths often try to
explain such things as the origins of the earth, the natural world, and humankind.
Some stories blend these genres together. For example, the following passage is historical
fiction, but it also has some fantasy in it.
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Directions: Read the story. It will be used to help you understand the tips in this lesson.
adapted from
Rip Van Winkle
by Washington Irving
Rip Van Winkle is a lazy man who is unhappy with his life. One day, while squirrel hunting in
New York's Catskill Mountains, he decides to stop and take a nap. He awakens twenty
years later to find that the world around him has changed.
As Rip neared the village, he met a number of people, none of whom he knew. This somewhat
surprised him, for he thought he knew everyone in the country 'round. Their dress, too, was
of a different fashion from what he had grown used to. Those he met were equally
surprised upon seeing him, and all stopped and stared and rubbed their chins. This repeated
gesture caused Rip to do the same. When he did so, to his amazement, he found that his
beard had grown a foot long!
He now entered the outskirts of the village. A troop of strange children ran at his heels, hooting
after him and pointing at his gray beard. The dogs, too, not one of which he recognized as
an old friend, barked at him as he passed.
The very village was changed. It was larger, and with many more people.
There were rows and rows of houses which he had never seen before, and those which had been
familiar to him had disappeared. Strange names hung over the doors, strange faces peeked
out from the windows—everything was strange .. .
He now hurried forth to his old haunt, the village inn, but it too was gone. A large, rickety
wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and
mended with old hats and petticoats. Over the door was painted "The Union Hotel by
Jonathan Doolittle." Instead of the great tree that once sheltered the quiet little Dutch inn in
the past, there was now a tall pole with something on top that looked like a red nightcap,
and from it fluttered a flag, on which was arranged a collection of stars and stripes.
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All this Rip found impossible to understand. He recognized on the sign, however, the ruby face
of King George, under which he had relaxed so many a peaceful evening. But, alas, even
this had been changed. The red coat was exchanged for a blue one, and a sword was held in
the hand instead of a scepter.1 The head was decorated with a cocked hat, and underneath
was painted in large letters, "General Washington."
There was, as usual, a crowd of old people about the door, but none that Rip recognized. The
very character of the people seemed different. There was a busy, bustling, angry tone about
it, instead of the usual lack of concern and drowsy peacefulness. He looked in vain for the
wise Nicholas Vedder, with his broad face and double chin, or for Van Bummel, the
schoolmaster, complaining about the contents of an old newspaper. In place of these, he
saw a lean, grumpy- looking fellow, with his pockets full of handbills,2 arguing forcefully
about the rights of citizens . . . elections . . . members of
Congress . . . liberty . . . Bunker Hill .. . heroes of seventy-six . . . All these were perfect
nonsense to the bewildered Van Winkle.
The appearance of Rip, with his long, grizzled beard, his rusty fowling piece,3 his sloppy dress,
and an army of women and children at his heels, soon attracted the attention of the tavern
politicians. They crowded around him, eyeing him from head to foot with great curiosity.
The speaker hurried up to him, drew him aside, and asked him "on which side he voted."
Rip stared at him blankly. Another short but busy little fellow pulled him by the arm and,
rising on tiptoe, whispered in his ear, "Are you Federal or Democrat?" Rip was equally at a
loss to understand the question.
Then a knowing, self-important old gentleman, in a sharp cocked hat, made his way through the
crowd. He planted himself before Rip Van Winkle, with one hand on his hip, the other
resting on his cane, and his keen eyes penetrating into Rip's very soul. He asked in a
serious tone what brought him to the election with a gun on his shoulder and a mob at his
heels and whether he meant to start a riot in the village.
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"Alas! Gentlemen," cried Rip in confusion, "I am a poor, quiet man, a native of this area, and a
loyal subject of the king, God bless him!"
Here a general shout burst from the crowd: "A Tory!4 A Tory! A spy! A refugee! Hustle him!
Away with him!"
1
scepter: a staff or baton that represents the authority of a royal person
2
handbills: flyers or pamphlets
3
fowling piece: a shotgun used for hunting birds or other small animals
4
Tory: a person who supported the British king and was against independence for the colonies
during the American Revolution
---from page 68
Behind the Writing
WASHINGTON IRVING
(1783-1859)
Washington Irving is one of early America's most
important writers. He helped make the short story a popular form of literature and was also one
of the first American authors to earn widespread fame in Europe. Irving was born in New
York City. He started writing when he was just a teenager and published his first work in a
New York City newspaper in 1803. Two of Irving's best-known stories are "Rip Van
Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
TIP 2: Identify details that describe the characters.
Character details can take many forms: appearance, thoughts, feelings, actions, speech, and
how others view the character. Everything about that character makes up who he or she is.
Paying attention to details will help you learn a lot about what a character is like.
1. Use the following character web to note details about Rip Van Winkle. List as many details
as you can find in the passage. You may draw additional branches of the web if you need
to.
---see web
Use the details you gathered in Number 1 to answer the following questions.
2. The villagers were surprised by Rip's appearance for all of the following reasons except
which one?
A. He was carrying a rusty fowling piece.
B. He was wearing a cocked hat.
C. He had a beard over a foot long.
D. He was dressed sloppily.
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3. How did Rip feel about what he saw in the village?
A. angry
B. happy
C. amused
D. puzzled
TIP 3: Notice how and why the relationships between the
characters change.
The characters in most stories don't stay the same. Usually, they are different at the end of the
story than they were at the beginning. They may learn an important lesson, defeat an
enemy, or find something they've been missing, to name just a few possibilities. They may
also change their viewpoint about something. A viewpoint is an opinion or an idea a
person has about someone or something.
Characters in a story often change because of what other characters do. As the action of a story
continues, characters act and react to each other in different ways. Motivations are the
things that make characters act in certain ways. Understanding what motivates characters is
an important part of reading any story. You should try to figure out not only what
characters do, but why they do it.
Here are some questions to ask yourself about the main character in order to understand them
better:
4. Why did children follow Rip as he went into the town?
They recognized him as a man who used to live there.
They thought he looked funny.
They believed he was General Washington.
They thought he was a Tory.
Character Clues
 What kind of person is the character? What is he or she like?
 What does the character want most? Why?
 What is the main problem the character faces?
 How does the character view his or her situation?
 What kinds of relationships does he or she have with other characters in the story?
 How does the character change throughout the story?
 How does the character's personality affect what happens in the story?
Are You Flat or Round?
One of the ways authors create effective stories is by using well-developed major characters.
These characters are the most important to the story and create most of the action. They are
called "round" or "three-dimensional." That's because the author has described them so
well that they seem like real people. Minor characters, on the other hand, may be less
developed, or "flat." Minor characters are not very important to the story. They may be
described in only a few words and may show only a few emotions.
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5. Which word best describes the reaction of the townspeople to Rip when he first entered
town?
A. fear
B. anger
C. curiosity
D. boredom
6. By the end of the passage, how had the townspeople's feelings toward Rip changed?
A. They thought he was an enemy.
B. They were curious to hear about his long sleep.
C. They recognized him as a long-lost friend.
D. They were happy he was finally home.
7. What caused this change in their feelings about Rip?
TIP 4: Name details that describe the setting.
Details that describe a setting might include the time in history at which the story it happens.
That's extremely important in Rip Van Winkle. Setting can also include the season, the
time of day, the weather, the location, the landscape, and so on. All of these things can add
to your understanding of a story.
8. Where and when does this scene from "Rip Van Winkle" take place?
9. Underline details in the story to support your answer to Number 8.
10. What important event had taken place during Rip's 20-year nap?
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The setting can help set the mood of the passage. The mood is the general feeling. The mood in
a story or scene might be scary, exciting, sad, relaxed, mysterious, humorous, suspenseful,
and so on.
11. Which word best describes the mood in the tavern?
A. cheerful
B. creepy
C. tense
D. calm
12. Circle details in the passage that helped you answer Number 11.
TIP 5: Find the conflict in a scene or story.
Most plots are based on conflict. The conflict is the main problem the character faces. Without
a conflict, a story would be very boring. Characters might have conflicts with other
characters, with nature, or within themselves.
13. What is Rip Van Winkle's main problem?
A. He is unshaven, his clothes are ragged, and his gun is rusty.
B. He is facing changes he does not understand.
C. He is being followed by a crowd of women and children.
D. He is a Tory and a loyal supporter of the king.
14. How is his problem affected by the setting of the story?
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TIP 6: Follow the plot to learn how the characters resolve the
conflict.
The story unfolds as the character or characters face the problem and try to solve it. Take note
of the main events that occur. Main events keep the plot moving forward. Minor events,
such as the old gentleman "[planting] himself before Rip Van Winkle, with one hand on
his hip," provide interesting details to fill out the story, but they are less important to the
plot.
Rising action is all the events that happen in a story that lead to the climax. In the passage, all
of the changes in town that Rip notices are part of the rising action.
You can use a graphic organizer to help you follow the plot. Look at the following story map:
Characters
Rip Van Winkle, Townspeople
Setting
A New York village after the American Revolution
Problem
Rip is faced with changes he doesn't understand.
Important Events
1. Rip took a 20-year nap.
2. He awoke and walked into a village.
A crowd followed him.
3. He noticed many changes in the village.
4. ?
5. The townspeople thought he was an enemy.
Resolution ?
15. Which of the following best fits next to number 4 under "Important Events"?
A. He went hunting in the mountains.
B. He became dissatisfied with his life.
C. He went to the inn and was questioned.
D. He noticed that his beard had grown.
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In Lesson 5, you learned how to identify causes and effects. Paying attention to causes and
effects can also help you follow the plot of a story. One event causes another, and another
... Causes and effects help move the plot forward.
16. What caused the townspeople to call Rip a spy?
A. He said he was loyal to the king.
B. He did not tell how he voted.
C. He started a riot in the village.
D. He said he was a Democrat.
Eventually there will be a main event in which the problem must be either resolved or accepted
once and for all. This main event is called the climax of the story. After the climax, there is
the falling action. Falling action is what the characters go through in order to fix the
problem. When the story ends, the conflict is fixed. The fixing of the conflict is called
resolution. At this point, we may also see how the main character has changed because of
his or her experiences.
17. How do you predict Rip's problem will be resolved?
Old Ideas, New Twists
It has been said that in storytelling, there are no new ideas, only new twists on the old ones.
Many plots include familiar elements, from the age-old struggle of good against evil to the
complicated results of "boy meets girl." Here are a few of the basic types of stories that are
told. Try to think of at least one story you have read that is based on each idea.
 A stranger comes to town.
 A secret is revealed.
 A person seeks revenge.
 An underdog (someone at a disadvantage) defies powerful authority.
 A person goes on a journey.
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TIP 7: Use what you learn about the characters, setting, and plot to
determine the theme of the story.
You learned in Lesson 3 that a theme is the general message or lesson the author wants to share
through the writing. One way to figure out the theme in a fictional story is to ask yourself
what lessons the characters learn.
18. What is the main theme of the scene you read from "Rip Van Winkle"?
A. Times change, even if people don't.
B. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
C. Treat others as you want to be treated.
D. Time heals all wounds.
Summing Up
When answering story element questions, remember the following tips:
 All genres of fiction have plots, characters, and settings.
 Identify details that describe the characters.
 Notice how and why the relationships between the characters change.
 Name details that describe the setting.
 Find the conflict in a scene or story.
 Follow the plot to learn how the characters resolve the conflict.
 Use what you learn about the characters, setting, and plot to determine the theme of the
story.
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DIRECTIONS: Read this passage and then answer questions 1 through 10.
from
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen are best friends who live in Denmark during World War
IL Denmark has been taken over by Germany, and soldiers are stationed on every street
corner in their city.
"I'll race you to the corner, Ellen!" Annemarie adjusted the thick leather pack on her back so
that her schoolbooks balanced evenly. "Ready?" She looked at her best friend.
Ellen made a face. "No," she said, laughing. "You know I can't beat you—my legs aren't as
long. Can't we just walk, like civilized people?" She was a stocky ten-year-old, unlike
lanky Annemarie.
"We have to practice for the athletic meet on Friday—I know I'm going to win the girls' race
this week. I was second last week, but I've been practicing every day. Come on, Ellen,"
Annemarie pleaded, eyeing the distance to the next corner of the Copenhagen1 street.
"Please?"
Ellen hesitated, then nodded and shifted her own rucksack of books against her shoulders. "Oh,
all right. Ready," she said.
"Go!" shouted Annemarie, and the two girls were off, racing along the residential sidewalk.
Annemarie's silvery blond hair flew behind her, and Ellen's dark pigtails bounced against
her shoulders.
"Wait for me!" wailed little Kirsti, left behind, but the two older girls weren't listening.
Annemarie outdistanced her friend quickly, even though one of her shoes came untied as she
sped along the street called Osterbrogade, past the small shops and cafés of her
neighborhood here in northeast Copenhagen. Laughing, she skirted an elderly lady in black
who carried a shopping bag made of string. A young woman pushing a baby in a carriage
moved aside to make way. The corner was just ahead.
Annemarie looked up, panting, just as she reached the corner. Her laughter stopped. Her heart
seemed to skip a beat.
"Halte!" the soldier ordered in a stern voice.
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The German word was as familiar as it was frightening. Annemarie had heard it often enough
before, but it had never been directed at her until now.
Behind her, Ellen also slowed and stopped. Far back, little Kirsti was plodding along, her face
in a pout because the girls hadn't waited for her.
Annemarie stared up. There were two of them. That meant two helmets, two sets of cold eyes
glaring at her, and four tall shiny boots planted firmly on the sidewalk, blocking her path to
home.
And it meant two rifles, gripped in the hands of the soldiers. She stared at the rifles first. Then,
finally, she looked into the face of the soldier who had ordered her to halt.
"Why are you running?" the harsh voice asked. His Danish was very poor. Three years,
Annemarie thought with contempt. Three years they've been in our country, and still they
can't speak our language.
"I was racing with my friend," she answered politely. "We have races at school every Friday,
and I want to do well, so I-" Her voice trailed away, the sentence
unfinished. Don't talk so much, she told herself. Just answer them, that's all.
1. the capital city of Denmark
1
How does the setting most affect the plot in the passage?
A The scene takes place in Denmark, where people mainly speak Danish.
B The scene takes place on an afternoon, when many people are out and about.
C The scene takes place during a war, when threatening soldiers are everywhere.
D The scene takes place on a busy sidewalk, where too many people are walking.
2
Why are Annemarie and Ellen running?
A They are afraid of the soldiers.
B They are practicing for a race.
C They want to get away from Kirsti.
D They have to hurry home after school.
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3
How does Ellen feel about running with Annemarie?
A willing to race but not excited about it
B happy that she has a chance to practice
C angry because she knows she can't win
D determined to try her hardest to beat Annemarie
4
In the second half of this scene, the main conflict is between Annemarie and—
A Ellen
B Kirsti
C herself
D the soldiers
5
Which word best describes Annemarie?
A shy
B cruel
C brave
D thoughtless
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6
Look at the graphic organizer that shows Annemarie's experience.
---see organizer
Which of these statements belongs in box 3?
A Annemarie outdistances Ellen.
B The girls enter a race at school.
C The soldier asks why they are running.
D Kirsti is left behind as the two girls race.
7
What is the climax of the passage?
A The girls decide to race to the corner.
B Kirsti yells, "Wait for me!"
C The soldier questions Annemarie.
D The girls have school races on Fridays.
8
What is the main idea of this passage?
A Two friends walk home together after school on an afternoon during World War II.
B On their way home from school, three girls are confronted by German soldiers.
C During World War II, two German soldiers patrol the streets of Copenhagen.
D Two friends argue over whether they should run or walk home from school.
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9
Which detail is most important to this scene?
A Annemarie can run faster than Ellen.
B Little Kirsti yells, "Wait for me!"
C A soldier orders the girls to stop.
D There are races at Annemarie's school every Friday.
10
What is the theme of this passage?
A You should never run on the sidewalk.
B Soldiers must always be respected and obeyed.
C It is sometimes wisest not to say what you think.
D Children are never aware of the troubles of adults.
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