1) Plot: the sequence of events that take place in a story.
2) Setting: the time and place in which the events of a story take place.
3) Characterization: the methods used to present the personality of a character in a narrative.
4) Atmosphere: the general mood or feeling established in a piece of literature. Atmosphere is created through word choice and pacing.
Word Choice--the author uses words that make the reader feel a certain way. A spooky atmosphere is created in "The Tell-Tale Heart" through the use of words like "hideous," "marrow," "chilled," and "nervous."
Pacing--the author controls the speed at which we read through sentence length, punctuation, repetition of words and other techniques.
5) Point of View: who is narrating the story (2 main types: First Person, Third Person)
First person: the narrator uses "I" to tell the action, and is involved in the story.
Third person: the story is told from a perspective outside the story. The characters are referred to by name, or as he, she or they.
Internal: The conflict happens in a character's mind. A character with a guilty conscience is an example of internal conflict.
External: The conflict happens between characters, or between a character and some outside force, like nature. Sherlock Holmes pursuing a criminal is an example of external conflict.
6 Message: The point of a narrative is to share something significant with the audience.