SEVEN ELEMENTS OF THE NOVEL

AND ANNOTATION GUIDELINES

7th and 8th Grades
1. Setting: The background in which the story takes place. There are several aspects to
setting:
a. Place: This is the geographical location of the story. Since novels are lengthy, the
story may move from one place to another.
b. Time: First, this refers to the period of history if the story is set in the past. If the
story could happen now or at some recent time, it is considered “contemporary”. If it is
a science fiction story, it may be set in the future. Novels usually take place over a long
period of time, such as from 1937-1956. Some authors provide a more detailed setting,
including season, month, and even time of day.
c. Climate/Weather: This is an aspect of setting that is often forgotten, but it can be
important to the novel.
d. Lifestyle: This refers to the daily life of the characters. If a story takes place in a
particular historical period, the lifestyle of the characters (e.g. whether they are poor
farmers or residents of the court) is part of the setting.
Annotation – “Where?” “When?”
Underline time, place, weather, and lifestyle. Mark with an S.

2. Characters: The people, animals, robots, aliens, etc. who take part in the action of the
story. There are several aspects to character:
a. Physical Appearance: This is based on information given by the narrator.
b. Personality: This is delineated through the character’s thoughts, words, and deeds,
through the narrator’s description, and through what other characters say.
c. Round/Flat: A round character is fully developed by the author and experiences
significant changes throughout the novel. A flat character has hardly any development
whatsoever and experiences little to no change.
d. Protagonist/Antagonist: A protagonist is the main character(s) in a novel, not
necessarily the hero. An antagonist is the force/person in conflict with the protagonist.
Annotation – “Who?”
Circle characters’ names the first time they are introduced and always underline
descriptions of physical appearance, personality, and examples of change throughout
the novel. Mark with a C.

3. Plot: The storyline or ordered arrangement of incidents in a story. Plot has five parts:
a. Exposition: A setting forth of meaning or intent; the background information needed
to understand the characters and the action.
b. Rising Action: The events of a narrative plot that precede the climax.
c. Climax: A moment of great intensity in a narrative, especially the conclusion of a
crisis; the turning point in a plot.
d. Falling Action: The events of a narrative plot that follow the climax.
e. Resolution: The part of a literary work in which the complications of the plot are
resolved or simplified.
Annotation – “How?”
Underline quotes that show how the main conflict is developed and resolved.
Mark with a P.
4. Conflict: The struggle between opposing forces in the story. Conflict provides interest
and suspense. There are various types of conflict, which can usually be categorized as one of
the following:
a. Character vs. Nature: A character struggling against nature.
b. Character vs. Character: A struggle between two or more characters.
c. Character vs. Society: A struggle between the main character and some aspect of society.
d. Character vs. Self: A struggle of opposing forces within one character.
Annotation – “What?”
Underline problems within the story. Mark with CON.

5. Point of View: The perspective from which the reader views the action and characters.
There are three major types of Point of View:
a. First Person: One character narrates the story.
Second Person: The reader is addressed directly by the narrator.
Third Person: Outside narration that focuses on one character’s observations.
b. Omniscient: An all-knowing narrator outside the story itself. The reader knows
what each character thinks and does.
Limited: The narrator can only relay one character’s perspective to the reader.
c. Subjective: A biased point of view in which the narrator offers his/her personal
observations.
Objective: A neutral point of view that represents all sides of the story.
Annotation
Right away, the point of view is given. Circle words on the first page that indicate
which point of view the narrator is using and mark with POV.

6. Theme: The central idea in the novel. It is the author’s message and one of the reasons
that he/she wrote the book. The theme can usually be expressed in a statement about human
nature, life, or the universe.
Annotation – “Why?”
Underline the author’s message and reasons why the author wrote the story.
Mark with a T.

7. Mood: The atmosphere or feeling of a story; the emotional quality that the story gives to
the reader. This is usually evoked by setting and, like the setting, may change throughout the
novel. The novel may open with a mysterious mood, a gloomy mood, a light, carefree mood,
etc.
Annotation
Underline any changes in mood or feeling as the story progresses.
Mark with an M.