BUILDING BLOCKS OF
STORYTELLING.
BY
DR DIKSHA SHARMA
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
THAPAR INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
• Story elements, sometimes called narrative
elements or components of a story, are the essential
ingredients that shape any narrative. They form the
backbone of storytelling, no matter the genre, medium, or
audience.
CONTD.
• The key elements are:
• Plot
• Character
• Theme
PLOT
• The plot is the sequence of events that gives shape and direction to a
narrative, guiding readers from the beginning to the end.
• Without it, a story risks becoming a collection of disconnected moments,
lacking the momentum that keeps readers turning the page.
• In storytelling, the plot is more than just “what happens.” It is
about how and why events unfold, and the impact they have on
characters and themes.
• A well-crafted plot creates tension, builds anticipation, and leads to
satisfying resolutions, whether in a short story, a novel, or a screenplay
• plot is often observed as the backbone of a story, the chain of events that
connects the beginning, middle, and end into a meaningful whole..
CONTD.
• “The king died and then the queen died” is a story
• “The king died, and then the queen died of grief” is a plot.
• The first example lists events, while the second shows cause and effect.
What Happens?
Vs
Why it happens?
Gives depth to the narrative
• Narrative: The way a story is told, its voice, style, and perspective.
• Theme: Represents the underlying message or idea explored through the
plot and characters.
• Two novels may follow similar plots but differ in theme, leading to very
different interpretations.
• In Aristotle’s Poetics, plot (mythos) was described as the “soul of tragedy,” emphasizing
that structure and causality are what turn a tale into a compelling narrative. To this
day, the meaning of plot in storytelling remains central to how writers shape engaging
works of fiction.
Every strong
narrative
follows a
structure
that helps
readers
make sense
of the story
arc
Freytag’s Pyramid
CONTD:
• Exposition introduces the world of the story, the characters, and the
initial situation.
• Rising action develops the conflict, adding complications and stakes.
• Climax represents the turning point, often the moment of greatest
tension.
• Falling action explores the consequences of the climax and moves
the narrative towards closure.
• Resolution ties up loose ends and leaves the audience with a sense
of completion.
THREE-ACT
STRUCTURE,
OFTEN USED IN
SCREENWRITING
;SIMPLIFIES THE
STORY INTO SETUP’
CONFRONTATION,
AND RESOLUTION.
ANOTHER WELL-
KNOWN MODEL
IS THE HERO’S
JOURNEY, A CIRCULAR
NARRATIVE ARC
WHERE THE
PROTAGONIST LEAVES
A FAMILIAR WORLD,
FACES TRIALS, AND
RETURNS
TRANSFORMED.
EXAMPLES
In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the exposition
introduces Harry’s ordinary life, the rising action builds as he
discovers the wizarding world, and the climax comes with the
confrontation over the Philosopher’s Stone.
In Romeo and Juliet, the rising action develops their forbidden
love, while the tragic climax and resolution leave a lasting impact
on readers.
WHY DOES THE PLOT MATTER
Whether using Freytag’s five parts of a plot, a three-act
structure, or a hero’s journey, these models provide
writers with a narrative arc that makes stories both
coherent and emotionally engaging.