story elements

Theme

central idea/message the author wants to convey.

Characterization

process where an author reveals and develops traits of characters in the story.

Foreshadowing

using subtle clues about events that will happen later in the story.

Conflict

a struggle that drives the plot and reveals character.

Symbolism

using objects, colors, characters or events to represent larger ideas.

POV

narrative lens through which a story is told.

Motif

recurring element in a story (image, object, sound, or phrase) with symbolic significance.

Connotation

emotional or implied meaning a word carries, even beyond its dictionary definition.

Denotation

a word’s literal dictionary meaning without any emotional meaning beyond it.

Foil

Contrast between two characters to highlight the defining traits/values of both, but usually more of the protagonist.

Soliloquy

A character speaks their innermost thoughts aloud alone.