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# Elements of Fiction: 6 Story Elements Every Writer Must Know
- URL: https://brookevitale.com/blog/elements-of-fiction/
- Published: 2023-06-06T02:06:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T20:14:30.000Z
- Description: A great story consists of 6 key story elements: character, plot, setting, point of view, theme, and style. We break down all 6 elements of fiction, with examples.
- Author: Andrew Vitale
- Tags: Writing, General

Every good writer knows that there’s a method to writing a story—there’s a beginning, a middle, and an end. But how a writer connects those parts is what makes a story great. The truth is, it’s easy to get so caught up in the actual storytelling that you forget to make sure you have the building blocks for a solid story. But without the six elements of fiction in place, most stories eventually fall apart. So before you even put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) let’s take a look at the six elements of fiction—character, plot, setting, point of view, setting, theme, and style—and how they influence your story.

## Story element 1: character

It goes without saying that a book is only as good as the characters in it. But who those characters are and how they interact with one another is an essential element of any great story. A book’s characters are quite literally the driving force for the story. And of course, that story belongs to one person, right? Wrong! Creating a compelling story means more than just having a protagonist and an antagonist. It means having a rich cast of secondary and tertiary characters, each of whom fill their own important roles.

Works of fiction are typically built around seven kinds of characters: the protagonist, the antagonist, the deuteragonist, the confidant, the tertiary, the love interest, and the foil. Let’s take a look at the big ones!

### Protagonist

A protagonist is the central character in a literary work. This is the character that drives the story forward—the one whom readers will walk closely beside over the course of the narrative. Readers are meant to invest their emotions in the protagonist—to root for the protagonist to win—so it’s important to make your character relatable. One of the best ways to do this is by making your protagonist flawed. None of us are perfect, and we as readers can better relate to a hero who isn’t perfect, either. Flaws give protagonists weaknesses they have to overcome to achieve their mission. Give your protagonist something to overcome and let the reader see them evolve over the course of the story.

### Antagonist

The antagonist is a character who opposes—or *antagonizes*—the protagonist. Often considered the villain of the story, the antagonist is not the main character in a book. Rather, they tend to sit at the helm of a secondary storyline, secretly operating in the shadows of the narrative and behind the protagonist’s back. Doing what exactly? Creating conflict, of course!

Like the protagonist, an antagonist must have goals. The difference is, while the protagonist is fighting for good, the antagonist is fighting for evil! Let the reader know what the antagonist is after. The more villainous their goals, the better! Don’t forget when creating an antagonist to tell the reader *why* they want what they do. Give your antagonist a rich backstory. You may even find that your antagonist’s history is more exciting than your protagonist’s.

[![Types of Characters in a Story: Roles & Character Archetypes](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/types-of-characters-cover.jpg)Related articleTypes of Characters in a Story: Roles & Character ArchetypesA look at the different type of characters that appear in literature, including a deep dive into the roles characters play in a story & 12 character archetypesRead the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/types-of-characters/) 

Knowing where a character stands in the hierarchy of a story is important, but it’s not the only thing a writer needs to know. Creating a strong cast of characters relies on creating variety. In every story, some characters are designed to be three-dimensional, while other, smaller characters may be one-dimensional. Background characters are to be expected, but don’t forget when writing to keep in mind who really belongs in the background, and who needs their own chance to shine!

[![Character Questionnaire: 180 Character Development Ideas](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/character-questionnaire-cover.jpg)Related articleCharacter Questionnaire: 180 Character Development IdeasA character questionnaire with180 character development questions to help authors build richer, more authentic, and more engaging characters.Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/character-questionnaire/) 

## Story element 2: plot

The plot is, quite literally, the story, itself. It is the series of events that unfold over the course of the narrative. This is what you are pacing out—or plotting—as you outline a story.

### The 6 elements of plot

Plot is not just a list of unconnected events. Plot is the backbone of any story, and as such, it should follow a particular structure. As the story progresses, there should be more at stake for your characters, meaning the plot should intensify until it reaches a climax or a defining moment. This formula, meant to add excitement and keep your readers on the edge of their seats, is typically referred to as the “6 elements of plot.”

> Pro Tip: for a plot to be compelling, each event that occurs must be the result of a character’s previous actions. This cause and effect builds suspense and accountability.

#### Introduction

Sometimes called the exposition, these opening pages are where you’ll introduce your characters, setting, point of view, and give readers a taste of your writing style.

#### Inciting incident

The inciting incident, or catalyst, is the moment the protagonist is thrust into action. This is where the story starts to pick up the pace. The inciting incident often presents itself as a challenge the protagonist must overcome. This may be something positive for the character, but it is more a negative situation, giving the reader insight into how the main character responds under pressure.

[![How to Get Started Writing a Book in 4 Steps](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/how-to-get-started-writing-a-book-in-4-steps-cover.jpg)Related articleHow to Get Started Writing a Book in 4 StepsThe idea of writing a book may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Learn how to get started writing a book in just 4 steps!Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/how-to-get-started-writing-a-book-in-4-steps/) 

#### Rising action

The rising action is all of the events leading up to the climax. This is the series of roadblocks and conflicts a protagonist must overcome before reaching the turning point in the story. These scenes are meant to build suspense by keeping a protagonist from achieving their goal too easily.

#### Dilemma

The dilemma is the moment where the protagonist is put in a life-or-death situation, forced to choose between good or evil, or just make an impossible decision.

#### Climax

Also referred to as the turning point in your story, the climax is the single most defining moment in the entire narrative. This is the moment where the problem is solved—where good triumphs over evil and the protagonist wins.

#### Resolution

The resolution is what comes after the conflict has been overcome. This is the wrap-up that answers any remaining questions the reader might have about the plot and characters. This is the moment to tie up any loose ends and provide a satisfying answer to how everything will work out for the protagonist.

> Pro Tip: While series books often end on a cliffhanger, each book in a series should tackle its own “mini-plot” and contain its own “mini-climax.” All of those should be addressed in the resolution, even if the larger story arc will continue into the next book.

### Elements of plot in a picture book

Writing a novel allows for plenty of room to expand on a character or plot. But picture books are different. Because the ideal length for a picture book is between 400 and 700 words, the action must unfold more rapidly. Rarely do characters in picture books face the same kind of extreme dilemmas as those in longer fiction. As such, picture books tend to follow a slightly different plot sequence.

![A graphical interpretation of the 5 elements of plot: introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, conclusion](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1080w-the-five-elements-of-plot.jpg)

In a picture book, the introduction and the inciting incident tend to get wrapped up together in the introduction. With only 32 pages, it’s essential to get right to the action, so the problem must show up immediately, often within the first 2-3 pages.

The rising action is the protagonist’s attempts to solve the problem. This is where the bulk of the story’s action takes place. Often at this stage the reader gets discouraged and almost gives up.

> Pro Tip: Picture books follow the rule of three. A character will frequently try to solve a problem twice before being successful. Those attempts appear in the rising action.

The climax is where the problem comes to a head, either where the protagonist finally confronts it or where the solution presents itself.

[![How to Write a Children's Picture Book in Six Steps](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/how-to-write-a-childrens-picture-book-cover.jpg)Related articleHow to Write a Children's Picture Book in Six StepsWriting a children's book is easy, but writing a good picture book? That's a different story! Learn how to write a children's picture book!Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/how-to-write-a-childrens-picture-book/) 

The falling action comes once the problem has been faced or solved. This is what happens as a result of solving the problem. A character feels better. A lost sock is paired up. Friendships are mended. In any picture book, the goal should be to wrap up the falling action quickly, within a page or two.

The conclusion is your wrap-up that ties your book up with a nice bow and tells us how it ends . . . or offers a lead in to the next book in the series. Picture books usually conclude with a hook—a snappy ending that offers a last punch readers will remember.

### Two fundamental elements of plot

Regardless of whether you are writing a picture book or the next Game of Thrones, there are two key elements of a story that you’ll need to keep in mind if you hope to keep the reader invested in the story—cause & effect and conflict.

#### Cause & effect

For every action, there must be a reaction. More specifically, if your character makes a choice, then there is likely going to be a response (sometimes positive) or a consequence (a negative). This back-and-forth is what keeps the reader invested in the story and helps the protagonist evolve and develop on the page.

#### Conflict

For better or worse, conflict is what drives a story. If your story doesn’t have conflict, then it will be hard to hook your readers. The main character should come across a variety of different conflicts throughout the story. In a picture book, this might be as simple as a failed attempt to solve a problem, while in longer fiction the conflict may be outwitting the bad guy, coming to terms with their feelings for the story’s love interest, or overcoming their own internal flaws.

[![Children's Book Ideas: 150+ Prompts to Write a Picture Book](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/childrens-book-ideas-cover.jpg)Related articleChildren's Book Ideas: 150+ Prompts to Write a Picture BookA great children's book starts with a great idea. Learn the best children's book themes, then get writing with 7 story generator ideas and 150+ story prompts.Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/childrens-book-ideas/) 

## Story element 3: setting

Setting is where and when a story takes place. This might refer to a real location or a place completely created by the author, as in fantasy novels,, which require significant world-building. It may be present day, the 1920s, or the distant future. In many ways, setting can act as another character in a story, as the conventions of the time and place where characters exist exert great influence over their behavior. For example, Herman Melville’s Moby Dick is largely confined to Captain Ahab’s ship, the Pequod. By setting the novel in the heart of the ocean, Melville introduces the ocean itself as a character. It is the ocean that drives the story forward, causing conflict for the inhabitants of the Pequod.

### The impact of setting on character development

While it can be tempting to just set a story anywhere, it’s important to remember that where and when a story takes place can greatly impact the characters in the story, in particular their reactions to certain circumstances.

Here are a few ways in which setting can affect the characters in your story:

- Regional dialect and communication methods (phrases, body language, behaviors, etc.) often vary by location.
- Unique survival characteristics and tools may be introduced based on what is available to the characters.
- Philosophical and intellectual thinking (education, social norms, class, religion, gender restrictions) may be determined by the time period and location in which a story is set. A book set in 1970, for example would not contain the smartphones we use today. The characters in the book would have to find a different method of communication.

> Pro Tip: Historical fiction requires a great deal of research to accurately understand the way of life at that time and also what historical events were happening in the world that might influence your characters. Failing to do that research is the surest way to secure bad reviews.

In fantasy novels, world building is an enormous aspect of a story. Consider J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, which wouldn’t be what it is without the magic of Hogwarts and the wizarding world, full of extraordinary places and mythical beasts. Or Game of Thrones which would be quite different without its many different territories. When inventing your own world, don’t overload the reader all at once with exposition. Instead, weave in new exposition as the story progresses by using sensory details, like sight, sound, smell, and touch.

If your story is set in a real-life location, then do research on the place based on the time period your story is set. Find photos that you can use as a guide for sharing specific details of the buildings, people, and landmarks.

[![Show, Don't Tell—A Guide to Stronger Writing, with Examples](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/show-dont-tell-cover.png)Related articleShow, Don't Tell—A Guide to Stronger Writing, with ExamplesA comprehensive guide to what "Show, Don't Tell" means, how to show rather than tell, and how showing can make you a better writer, and your book a better book, with show don't tell examples of what to do and what not to do.Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/show-dont-tell/) 

## Story element 4: point of view

A point of view is the lens through which we see the story unfold. It is how a reader sees (and interprets) the world in which the characters live, and it controls how much we know (or don’t know) about what is happening. As an author, one of the first things you will need to decide is what point of view you want to use when telling your story.

### What is first person point of view?

First person point of view is a story told from the perspective of a story’s narrator. This type of storytelling relies on the pronouns *I*, *me*, *we*, and *us*.

First person narration creates an intimate relationship between the narrator and the reader, inviting the reader into the narrator’s innermost thoughts. A first-person narrator may put the reader right into the action, experiencing it with the narrator as it unfolds, or they may offer distance, relating and reflecting on the events of a story that has already happened. Either way, first person narration relies on the narrator to tell the reader what is happening, allowing the reader to see and know only what the narrator sees and knows.

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### What is second person point of view?

Second person point of view is written in a style that addresses the reader directly. This type of storytelling relies on the pronouns *you*, *your*, and *yours*.

Second person point of view makes the reader the star of the story. Everything unfolds through the reader’s eyes as they are told what they experience. In fiction, one of the most common uses of second person is “choose your own adventure” novels where the reader is asked to make decisions and learns the consequences of their actions. This point of view is more commonly seen in self-help books, in which the author is offering advice to the reader.

### What is third person point of view?

Third person point of view tells the story from an outside perspective and uses the pronouns *he*, *she*, *it*, *they*, *him*, *her*, *his*, and *them*.

This point of view provides the writer with more freedom to show the entire world, and provides some distance between the reader and the narrator. Third person point of view relies on one of two kinds of narration: limited third person narration and omniscient narration.

Limited third person narration tells the story from a single character’s point of view, allowing the reader to see and know only what that character sees and knows.

Omniscient narration, also known as the all-knowing narrator, takes a broader perspective on the world the story is set in. The omniscient narrator sees and knows everything, and has greater insight into narrative events. This type of narration allows the reader to know things the characters themselves do not.

In fiction, third person is the most commonly used point of view.

## Story element 5: theme

A book’s theme is what a story is really about. Not to be confused with the plot, a book’s theme is the underlying message the author hopes to convey to the reader. Every book has a theme at the core of the narrative, even if not explicitly stated in the text.

To give you a better understanding, let’s take a closer look at theme from examples in classic literature:

*Animal Farm* by George Orwell: While Animal Farm explores various themes such as political corruption and rebellion, it also acts as an allegory for government—the overarching message Orwell conveys in the story is that a person should not abuse their power.

*A Christmas Carol* by Charles Dickens: In his holiday classic, Dickens explores several themes with the main ones being redemption, family love, and the message that wealth does not guarantee happiness.

*The Wonderful Wizard* of Oz by L. Frank Baum: In this timeless classic, Baum’s message for readers is about friendship and the life’s journey, but also more clearly stated—there’s no place like home. 

[![Book Genres: 85 Genres & Subgenres of Fiction & Nonfiction](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/book-genres-cover.jpg)Related articleBook Genres: 85 Genres & Subgenres of Fiction & NonfictionA book genre list with definitions, categorizations, & examples of the 33 top book genres across fiction and nonfiction, with a look at their 52 subgenres.Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/book-genres/) 

## Story element #6: style

Every author has their own unique style—or voice. Your writing style is what makes your story stand out from everyone else’s. At its core, style is the unique way in which you tell your story to readers—word choice, phrasing, structure, pacing, tone, character development, dialect, and more. To better understand, let’s take a look at some notable voices in literature and what makes their writing style so unique.

Musical in style, Dr. Seuss uses colorful, rhythmic language and poetic writing techniques to capture a reader’s attention.

Best known for her romance novels, Jane Austen writes in a style that depicts the time period she lived, but also presents realistic portraits of her characters and their relationships.

Almost journalistic in style, Ernest Hemingway uses very short, descriptive, punchy sentences to tell his stories.

Shakespeare is best known for using blank verse, also called iambic pentameter.

### Developing your writing style

It can take time, sometimes years, to sharpen your own unique writing style. Here are two tips for developing your voice:

Read often. You’ve probably heard this before, but reading is crucial to a writer’s development. It’s important to read in genres similar to yours, but also to read broadly. Study the styles of other authors. Reading in a wide variety of genres will help you hone your writing skills as you continue to create a clearer, distinct voice for yourself.

Write often. As you study how other authors have honed their unique style, practice putting pen to paper to sharpen your own writing skills. Write as much as possible. You might even consider keeping a small notebook with you to help encourage daily practice. After all, there is a reason the old saying, “Practice makes perfect” is still emphasized today!

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