Elements of Story & Graphic Organizers

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key literary elements, plot stages, and common graphic organizers from the lecture notes.

Setting

The time and place in which a story’s events occur, including social, cultural, weather conditions, and atmosphere.

Character

A person or animal that takes part in the action of a story.

Plot

The series of events that make up a story.

Conflict

The problem or opposition of forces that ties one incident to another in a narrative.

Point of View

The angle from which a story is told—first person ("I"), second person ("You"), or third person ("he/she/it").

Theme

The controlling idea or central argument an author seeks to convey.

Introduction/Exposition

The beginning of a story where characters and setting are revealed and necessary background is provided.

Rising Action

The part of a story where events become complicated and the main conflict is introduced or developed.

Climax

The story’s highest point of interest and turning point.

Falling Action

Events following the climax in which complications begin to resolve.

Denouement/Resolution

The final outcome where loose ends are untangled and the story concludes.

Graphic Organizer

A visual display of key content information designed to help learners organize ideas and see relationships.

Concept Map

A general organizer that shows a central idea and its characteristics, useful for brainstorming and activating prior knowledge.

Flow Diagram / Sequence Chart

A chart that displays a series of steps or events in the order they occur.

Compare/Contrast / Venn Diagram

An organizer used to identify similarities and differences between two or more concepts.

Cause-and-Effect Diagram

A visual tool that highlights the direct relationship between events or concepts.

Plot Diagram / Organizer

A graphic organizer used to show the sequence of events in a story.