Story Elements & Structure
📋 What it is
Every story has characters, a setting, a plot, a conflict and a resolution.
🗣️ Coach says
A story is built from parts: WHO (characters), WHERE/WHEN (setting), WHAT HAPPENS (plot), the PROBLEM (conflict), and how it ends (resolution). Knowing these pieces helps you build — and understand — any story.
🧠 Memory hook
Character · Setting · Plot · Conflict · Resolution. The five building blocks of every story.
😂 Giggle
Why did the storyteller bring a map?
They didn't want to lose the plot!
😲 Whoa!
The classic story shape — beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, ending — was mapped by Freytag over 150 years ago.
✅ Quick check: What story element is the main problem the character faces?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
The conflict.
Conflict is the central problem that drives the plot forward.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Pick a favourite story and name its character, setting, and conflict.