Elements and Characteristics of Story

Story is a short narrative piece of literature. At the stage of the plot, the narrator may introduce the setting and the characters/personae as well. The author may also introduce the major conflicts in the exposition part. The exposition is important because it gives the reader required background information, which helps to provide insight to the character’s personality. If one drew a plot sketch that often looks like a pyramid. Among them the introduction is found at the bottom left of the pyramid.

Definition

“Story is a short narrative tale about some events and incidents to which a reader feels relevant or significant. The best stories are more of the complete as well as comprehensive. They have mature information from various sources with various points of views and expertise. They show more enterprise and more reportorial effort.”

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Story with reference to pure literature

   Story a narrative form- either true or fictitious-in prose or verse styles which are designed to instruct, amuse, and instruct the hearer or reader. It is also called a fictitious tale which is definitely shorter and lesser elaborate than that of a novel.

Story as a Genre

Genre comprises of four elements or parts:

1. Character
2. Story
3. Plot  
4. Setting

A good story has all of these above-mentioned relevant components. Therefore, story falls in the fold of genre.

Types of stories

Foster-Harris in 1959 claimed that there are three main types of stories:

1. Happy ending stories
2. Unhappy ending stories
3. Tragedy- arise the elements of fear and pity among readers

Some other types of stories

• Overcoming the Monster- gothic stories.
• Rags to Riches- class and inequality development-based stories.
• The Quest- it is about some searching object.
• Voyage and Return- these are mostly travelogues
• Comedy- these have lighter and trivial subjects.
• Tragedy-these have serious and dark subjects
• Rebirth- it is about the revival.

Elements of Story

These are the following story elements:

• Setting- it is the place around where the events happen.
• Characters- they are the real like population.
• Plot- it provides the actual course to the story
• Conflict- it is found among characters.
• Resolution- it describes the resolution of the conflict.
• Point of View- the narrator tells it.
• Theme- it is the central idea.
• Features of Story

These are five elements of plot. They are often arranged in a pyramid like diagram.

1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Conclusion

Pyramid Structure of Story

        The pyramid body accounts for the whole of a story, which includes a few stages of the plot:

1.   The rising action is found at the ascending line on the left side of a plot diagram which draws readers into a story. It also develops the conflict between characters.

2.   The sides of a pyramid rise to a point at the top level. This rising action continues to advance until the peak. This peak is known as the climax. It is the most suspenseful and exciting part of a story. It is the turning point of the story.

3.   The falling action represents by the descending lines on the right side of the plot skeleton. During the falling action, conflict begins to resolve. The reader might see a change in characters like that of the catharsis or other development that convinces the characters for a new way of thinking. 

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Characteristics of Stories

These are the following characteristics:

• A strong dramatic content is necessary.
• Various kinds of rhythms and structures should be included in prose.
• Must create some believable, memorable characters.
• Important story sections should be made effectively.
• Decorate a plot with subplots.
• Make every line of dialogue impressive.
• An immersive setting is required for good effects.
• Create and resolve conflict and tension.

Importance of Stories

Stories allow people to share information in a way that creates an emotional appeal. They help us to comprehend that information and one another. It makes the information memorable. Because stories create an emotional appeal, readers can make a deeper understanding of other people's experiences and thoughts.

Function of Story

The function of a story is to shape human thinking and memory. Function largely depends largely on relationships:

1. Between the characters in the story.
2. Between the characters and their plans, goals and actions.
3. Between the story and other stories.
4. Between the characters and events in the story and people and events in our lives.

Conclusion

The conclusion of a story is often called the resolution or denouement (a French word) which is represented by the bottom of the pyramid structure on the right side. During the conclusion phase, the loose ends are tied up and the conflicts are often resolved.