Elements of

Narrative
Writing
Choice Writing Assignment
Quarter 1
The Seven Elements:
 Plot
 Setting
 Atmosphere
 Characterization
 Theme
 Pointof View
 Figurative Language &Literary Devices
Plot
 Whathappens in the story; the events that occur
from beginning to end.
 All plots have a conflict, which is a struggle between
forces. Common conflict choices are:
 Human vs. Human
 Human vs. Nature
 Human vs. Society
 Human vs. Him/Herself
Setting
 TheWHEN and WHERE the story occurs (time
and place).
 Place: The geographical location; where does the
action of the story take place?
 Time: When is the story taking place? (historical
period, time of day, year, etc.)
Setting
 Weather Conditions: Is it hot and sunny? Rainy
and cold? Snowing, etc.
 Social Conditions: What is the daily life of the
characters like? Does the story mention
mannerisms, clothing ,dialect, etc. of a particular
place?
Characterization
 Protagonist: The main character or “hero” of the
story. The character whose actions form the basis
of the plot.
 Antagonist: The character who opposes the
protagonist and/or creates obstacles for him/her.
Also can be the forces that work against
protagonist's success (ex. Protagonist’s own
character flaws/traits)
Characterization
 Dynamic (or Round) Character: A character that
changes throughout story; is complex and has
many sides.
 Static (or flat) Character: A character that never
changes throughout the story; is one-sided.
Atmosphere
 Atmosphere or Mood: The feeling the created
during the story. Is it bright and cheery, or dark
and frightening? This element can stay throughout
the story or evolve over time and change.
Theme
 The main point or central idea around which the
story is focused.
 Can be a statement about life or human nature that is
explicitly conveyed or implied.
 Can be the author’s message or central insight the
he/she is trying to communicate through the story.
 Like a moral to a story.
 Examples: love, hate, betrayal, friendship, etc.
Point of View
 Position or positions from which a literary work is
told to the reader.
 First Person Narration: Uses “I”, “me” , “my”, etc.
 Told from the perspective of the narrator speaking
directly about him/herself.
 Third Person Narration: Uses “he”, “she”, etc.
 Told from the perspective of an outside narrator who Is
not a character within the story.
Figurative Language & Literary
Devices
 FigurativeLanguage: The use of words to affect a
meaning other than the usual or literal meaning of
those words.
 Literary Devices: a technique a writer uses to
produce a special effect in their writing.
 irony, imagery, metaphor, pun, oxymoron, hyperbole,
analogy, personification, paradox, simile, cliché,
alliteration, onomatopoeia, allusion, assonance,
euphemism, idiom, consonance, flashback,
foreshadowing.
Requirements of Your Narrative
 Plot-one common plot evident.
 Setting-place and time well established.
 Characterization-includes a protagonist and antagonist;
more points will be given for dynamic characterization.
 Atmosphere/Mood-established early and continues
throughout story.
 Theme-reader should easily be able to identify at least
one major theme to the story.
 Point of View-FIRST PERSON ONLY!
Requirements of Your Narrative
 Figurative Language & Literary Devices-
 Need to have AT LEAST 2 different literary devices used
at least 3 times correctly in your story.
 More devices=more points!!
 Narrative may be nonfiction (true story) or fiction (not
true).