Elements of a StoryMaking a Story Map

Every narrative story has certain elements or parts to it that make it, well, a story. These can include: a plot, dialogue, conflict, a turning point, symbolism, allusion, foreshadowing, flashback, a protagonist and an antagonist, as well as other features.

To help make sense of a story, many times this year, we will be making a Story Map. This is what we are going to take notes about today; how to make a story map.

Story TitleUm…. Duh

This is where you would write the title of the story

you are mapping

Main Idea

Tell the main idea of the story without giving away any

important surprises or the ending.

It’s kind of like looking at the back of a book and reading the description to see if

the story sounds interesting to you.

Universal Theme

The reason the author is telling us the story. The

lesson we learn from the story or the moral of the story.

Ex. The Boy Who Cried WolfThe Tortoise and the Hare

Shrek

Setting

Tells us where and when the story took place; sometimes

specific, sometimes in general.

Ex. Hunger GamesHarry PotterDivergent

Major CharactersCharacter Name:

List the major characters who have a big effect on the story.

Character Traits:

List the personality or major characteristics of the character.

Function:

Tell what part he/she plays in the story. (Narrator, main character, hero, villain, best friend, love interest)

Major EventsEvery good story has a beginning, middle,

and end.

List the major events that effect how the story progresses and ends. Leave

out minor details.

ClimaxDescribe the most exciting moment in the story after which we know or can guess (infer) how the story is going to end. The KEY MOMENT in the story.

ConflictThere are 5 main types of conflict than can

occur in a story. In fact, almost all narrative stories are simply a variation on

one of these conflicts.

They are: Person vs. Person Person vs. Nature Person vs. Self Person vs. Society Person vs. Fate

ResolutionThis is a description of how the main

conflict was solved in the end. It could tell who won, if the girl fell in love with the boy, if the earth was

saved, or many other types of outcomes of stories.