Story Elements

An Early Elementary Lesson

By Frances Palmateer

What are story elements?

Story elements are the important parts of a story.

When we pay attention to the story elements it helps us to learn all we can about a story.

characters

setting

problem

solution

moral or theme

There are five story elements

Images from Microsoft clipart

Let’s look at each element to learn about it.

Characters

Characters are the people in the story.

Characters

Characters can also be animals.

They can also be objects that act like people.

Examples of Character

• From Cinderella

CinderellaStep sisters

Fairy godmother

The prince

Setting

The setting is where and when the story takes place.

Where the story takes place

Enchanted forest

jungle

Cottage in the woods

farm Big City

When the story takes place

Long Ago

In the future

Now

Problem

The problem is the situation that the characters are facing in the story.

Problems in Stories

Solving a mystery

facing evil

Being poor

fears

Getting in trouble

Solution

The solution is how the characters solve their problem.

Solutions in Stories

Going to the ball

Doing the right thing

Finishing the task

Facing your fears

Catching the bad person

Moral or Theme

The moral or theme is the idea that the runs through the story. It often teaches a lesson

Examples of Themes and Morals

Dreams can come true

Hard work pays off

Be true to yourself

True love conquers all

Good defeats evil

Now that you know the 5 story elements: characters, setting, problem, solution, and theme, don’t forget to look for them when you read.

Happy reading!

References

• Images on slides 1,2,3,4,8,11,13,17, the prince on slide 7 and the witch on slide 12 are from Microsoft Office Clip Art © 2006 Microsoft Corporation

• Images on slides 5 and 6 courtesy of Frances Palmateer

• All other images from Print Master Platinum 18.1 by Broderbund ©2010 Encore Software, Inc.