Update February 20, 2026
There are six major elements to a fiction story, and it’s the combination of these elements that makes the story complete, interesting, and considered good writing. Too much of one or not enough of another can affect the reader’s ability to connect with the story.
So, what are the major elements of a children’s story?
The Major Elements of a Story
- Protagonist
- Setting
- Plot
- Conflict
- Point of view
- Theme
Let’s break them down:
The Protagonist: Introduce the main character. Using your imagination, you can make him unique. He can have particular mannerisms or quirks, or even distinct physical attributes. You can also make him likable or unsavory, but remember that you need the reader to be able to create a connection to him. It’s this connection that will prompt the reader to keep reading. Your protagonist needs to be real… believable.
The Setting: This will establish the time and place where the story takes place. The setting can create a feeling and mood. For example, if you’re writing about swashbuckling pirates, your reader will be in a certain mindset. The same holds for any other setting you choose. It will be intrinsic to the plot/conflict and will help establish vivid imagery for the reader.
The Plot: This is the meat of the story – the forward movement, the conflict or struggle that drives the protagonist toward his goal. This involves any danger, suspense, romance, or other reader-grabbing occurrence. The conflict can be emotional (an internal struggle – a tormented soul) or physical (from an external/outside force – good against evil).
Conflict: This element drives the plot. It’s the main problem or obstacle the main character must face and overcome to reach his goal. It can be an internal struggle or an external conflict from outside factors. Overcoming the conflict forces the character to have positive growth/change.
Point of View: This establishes whose point of view the story is being told from. It’s important to make this clear. Even if you have two main characters, there needs to be one who is primary in order to keep clarity within the story. This applies through middle-grade stories.
The Theme: This establishes what is important to the story. It usually evolves along with the story and the protagonist’s progression. If Jesus is your protagonist, establishing and promoting Christianity might be the theme. It might be the story’s view on life and the people/characters the protagonist encounters. It is the idea the author wants the reader to take away.
Utilizing each of these elements can create a unique, fascinating, and memorable story.
Just as a cooking recipe has its own ingredients, writing has its own set that produce a remarkable end product. A pinch here, a dab there – you hold the unique recipe to your story.
MORE ON WRITING FOR CHILDREN
The One Sentence Pitch for Your Manuscript
How Do You Build a Successful Writing Career? (3 Tips)
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