The 4 Elements Plot and Style

When reading a story, there are essential elements of design that craft and shape each unique story. Life is an unfolding story. Scrutinize the four plot elements and the how? element to get more insight on your own life.
The 4 Plot Elements

1. What?
This represents the narrative, plot, and subplots
o The typical path of the story is introduction, complication, rising action, climax, falling action and denoument. Notice the symmetry of problem, building, crescendo, resolving, conclusion

2. Who?
o Static characters do not significantly change the narrative
§ Static examples – stock, stereotype, foil
o Dynamic characters do significantly change the narrative.
§ Dynamic examples – allegorical, three-dimensional, antagonist, protagonist.
o Everyone should a be a dynamic character in their own life, but few people are. Most people live passively as static characters.

3. Why
o Topic – general issue; ex. “true love”
o Theme -- the message; the author’s specific argument of the specific topic. Examples:
§ True love exists
§ True love at first sight
§ True love exists only with focus.
o Motif – the mood; “hints” that shape the mood of the plot (could be tense, calm, fast, etc.)

4. Setting – Where? & When?

How?
· The How? Element depicts the authors style.
o Use of narrative vs. dialogue.
o Word choice – colloquial (Twain), formal (Austen), informal syntax (Faulkner) , terse (Hemingway)
o Narrative voice – 1st person, 3rd person, 3rd person limited omniscience

When you learn what is going on in your life, you become familiar with the direction, the pace, and the action of your life story. Discovering your why illuminates messages that are broadcasted throughout your existence as well as the mood of your life. The who can reveal which friends are mere acquaintances and which people have a profound impact on your well-being and ability to overcome obstacles. Your setting, the where and when, give you scope on the placement in time and space of unfolding events. Finally, understanding the how element reveals your method, your demeanor, your tricks, and your stylistic, individualized uniqueness in overcoming challenges, and leading your experience.