Module 4: Section 3

Introduction to Literary Elements: Exploring Story Elements

In this section, you will learn more about how writers evolve story elements, with a focus on character development and the importance of setting to a story’s overall plot and conflict.

Think about your favorite story. Where did you first discover this story? Was it in a book or on a TV series or movie? Was it part of the plot of a video game series, or manga? Was it from a website or vlog? What was it about that story that kept your interest? Was it the way the main character or characters were described? Perhaps the dialogue was funny, striking, or reminded you of things you’ve experienced. Whatever it was, something about the characters snagged your interest and kept you wanting to learn what would happen next in the story.

As you read the literary selections in this section, note the ways that the author develops each of the characters in the story. You will also see that the setting plays a significant role to each selection: Could the same story take place if it were anywhere else but that location or time?