Essay of the Month: The Elements of a Story

This is something that I decided to do for the blog; that on the first day of every month I will post a little something I like to call "Essay of the Month". "Essay of the Month" is a detailed and researched blog entry describing character development, narrative, and the elements of storytelling.

There is a lot to go over, but for right now, I'm going to keep it pure and simple: The Elements of a Story.

I'm starting off with the most basic of story writing lessons: how to go from the innocent beginning, to a conflicted middle, and thought-provoking and (hopefully) satisfying ending.

Picture taken from here.

Plot: What Happens in the Beginning, Middle and End?

Plot noun "Also called storyline. the plan, scheme, or main story 

of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story."(Source #2)

Plot involves every other element, or the story cannot be told. Without "conflict", you just have a bunch of characters doing nothing. Without "character", you just have an issue that cannot be resolved.

"The plot is the action, the series of events in the story that help move the characters forward to resolve their conflict(s). When conflict enters a character's world, the plot is catapulted." (Source #3)

Picture taken from here.

Also called 'exposition', the 'beginning' is where everything is set up: you have a place, a time or time period, characters that will meet and conflict ensues. The characters are usually the source of the conflict. Maybe they don't like each other for whatever reason - it has to be a pretty strong reason or the story will fall flat. Although other characters don't have to be the conflict in the story. Maybe the main character decides to embark on a journey of self-discovery and there is no one to blame but themselves.

The 'middle' is the basis of the story and it will take up most of the action. This part is called 'rising action'. At this point in the story the action should be getting more exciting: maybe the character moves to another place or finds another character that is on his side. It is where characters face more problems, may defeat some problems that create other more difficult problems, and develop in some way. 

In the middle of the 'middle', there is a 'climax'. But if you are smart, you won't place that in the exact middle of the story. But don't mistake it as the conclusion. It is the part where the main character is forced into making a 'crucial decision' that will decide the outcome for that character. It should be the impetus that pulls the story forward into the 'resolution'.

The 'resolution' is where everything is, literally, resolved. Maybe the main character realizes he's in love and finds the girl of his dreams and they decide to make it work. Or maybe the main character has just defeated the evil overlord of the story. Most parts of the story are answered here, but not all of them.

After the 'resolution' comes the 'ending'. This is the part where everything is decided or finalized. Not everything has to be finalized. You can leave some very select pieces of the storyline unfinished if that is best for the story. But for the most part, everything has a conclusion: the bad guy is dead or at least defeated, the main character falls in love or achieves some aim he had in the 'beginning'.

Depending on how well written the 'denouement' is, people who are watching the story may think that the movie or story could've ended before this part, right at the end of the 'resolution' period. Which is fine. A lot of stories work this way and most movies do as well.

Picture taken from here.

A lot of people feel as though this diagram of the plot is a more correct visual representation of the story. It is because the 'conclusion' is not on the same space occupied by the 'exposition' or the 'beginning' of the story. And it shouldn't be, because even though things have seemingly gone back to the way things were before the story was told, i. e. back to normal, it is not the same as it was before. Changes have happened to the main character and to those closest to him. 

Setting: Where is this Happening?

Setting noun "the locale or period in which the action 

of a novel, play, film, etc., takes place." (Source #2)

You can place the characters and their problems anywhere, but they have to be somewhere. Also, it helps if the setting influences the character. Like if they're originally from the country and they move to the big city, or vice-versa.

Character: Who is this Happening To?

Character noun 

1. the aggregate of features and traits 

that form the individual nature of some person or thing.

2. one such feature or trait; characteristic.

3. moral or ethical quality.

4. qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity.

5. reputation. (Source #2)

6. a person or persons who populate a story 

(and should have a few, if not all, of the above).

I like the definition provided by Theatre: Its Art and Craft: "the representation of the personalities in action." (Source #4)

These people make up your story. Make them interesting.

Conflict: What are the Problems Faced in the Story?

Conflict verb (used without object)

1. to come into collision or disagreement; 

be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition; clash. 

2. to fight or contend; do battle. (Source #2)

Conflict noun

3. a fight, battle, or struggle, especially a prolonged struggle; strife.

4. controversy; quarrel: conflicts between parties.

5. discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism or opposition, 

as of interests or principles: a conflict of ideas.

6. a striking together; collision.

7. incompatibility or interference, as of one idea, desire, event, or activity 

with another: a conflict in the schedule. (Source #2)

It goes without saying that without conflict you don't have a story. There is nothing to tell. There may be characters, but they don't do anything: they don't grow, learn what strengths they have, find a lover, or change in any way. So they won't be affecting the audience. 

The conflict should be able to motivate someone, like the main protagonist to get off his keister and do something that challenges himself in some way.

Theme: What is the Underlying Message of the Story?

Theme noun 

1. a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; 

topic: The need for world peace was the theme of the meeting.

2. a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art.

You can develop a theme based around the conflict. It can be morally or politically charged. It could be simple, like don't be a bad guy and try to take over the world while Superman is around.

Everything is up to you. Be creative and have fun. Many projects are made based around its ability to make money, but you only show your best stuff if you do it for you.

Also, for your enjoyment, this video about the elements of a story courtesy of Flocabulary's Youtube channel:

Tell me what you think in the comments below: did you like what you read? What would you like to read about later?

Sources:
- #1- http://teachers.saschina.org/dcole/2008/04/08/story-elements/
- #2 - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plot?s=t
- #3 - http://christiewrightwild.blogspot.com/2012/05/story-element-3-plot.html
- #4 - Archer, Steven, Cynthia Gendrich and Woodrow Hood. Theatre: Its Art and Craft. 5th Ed. San Diego, CA. Collegiate Press. 2003. Pg. 60.