Story Elements Defined by Stein and Glenn (1979)
Element
|
Definition
|
Example
|
Setting
|
Introduction of main characters
|
Once upon a time there were three bears, the momma bear, the popa bear, and the baby bear. They all lived in a tiny house in a great big forest.
|
Initiating Event
|
An action or happening that sets up a problem or dilimma for the story
|
One day a little girl named Goldilocks came by.
|
Internal Response
|
The protagonist's reactions to the initiating event
|
She was surprised to see the house and noticed it was empty.
|
Attempt
|
An action or plan of the protagonist to solve the problem
|
She went inside to find the three bears gone and ate the baby bear's soup, broke the baby bear's chair, and fell asleep in the baby bear's bed.
|
Consequence
|
The result of the protagonist's actions
|
The bears return to find things eaten and broken and to find Goldilocks in the baby's bed.
|
Reaction
|
A response by the protagonist to the consequence
|
Goldilocks ran away.
|
Grammar Rules for Simple Stories
Rule #
|
Rule
|
1
|
Story -- Setting + Theme + Plot + Resolution
|
2
|
Setting -- Characters + Location + Time
|
3
|
Theme -- (Event)* + Goal
|
4
|
Plot -- Episode*
|
5
|
Episode -- Subgoal + Attempt* + Outcome
|
6
|
Attempt -- Event*/Episode
|
7
|
Outcome -- Event*/State
|
8
|
Resolution -- Event/State
|
9
|
Subgoal/Goal -- Desired State
|
10
|
Characters/Location/Time -- State
|
The symbol “+” indicates the combination of elements in sequential order. The parentheses around Event indicate that the element is optional; the asterisk (*) indicates that the elements may precede the statement of the goal.
Canoncial Story Grammar Model (CSGM)
Element
|
Definition
|
Setting
|
Introduction of the main character and description of the time, location, and/or social context of the story.
|
Beginning Event
|
A cause which initiates a reaction or response of the main character.
|
Internal Reaction
|
An emotional response by the character which leads to the creation of a goal.
|
Attempt
|
An action of the character to achieve the goal.
|
Ending
|
Attainment or nonattainment of the goal by the character and/or the character’s reaction to the outcome and/or a moral.
|
