A story comes alive through an author’s carefully chosen words. These words, rarely repeated, cluster around key elements of story structure: characters, setting, and plot.
Consider this opening sentence from the award-winning book Watercress (Wang, 2021):
We are in the old Pontiac, the red paint faded by years of glinting Ohio sun, pelting rain, and biting snow. (p. 3).
This sentence showcases how thoughtfully selected words can instantly set the scene and tone of a story. As this example illustrates, authors use enticing vocabulary to develop the components of story structure. Guiding students to recognize the words authors use for major story components can help them expand their vocabularies and improve their comprehension.
Characters
Authors use evocative terms to bring characters to life. Instead of simply describing someone as a leader, an author might use words such as potentate, immediately evoking specific power dynamics. When describing mental and emotional states, taciturn suggests more complexity than merely quiet, while ebullient captures a specific kind of joyful energy. For physical traits, a svelte figure conveys elegance that the word thin doesn’t capture.
Setting
An author’s language choices can transport readers to precise locations. A meadow evokes a different atmosphere than a field. The choice of adjectives describing settings dramatically alters the mood. An isolated cabin creates a different emotional backdrop than a secluded one, despite their similar meanings.
Plot
Here, characters and setting converge in a series of events to drive the story forward. Authors use powerful vocabulary to imbue actions with significance. When characters devise a plan, it suggests innovation beyond simply making a plan. The way characters move reveals much about their personalities and the story’s tone. A character who saunters moves through the world differently than one who trudges.
Classroom Activity
Creating semantic maps, either as a teacher-led or student-centered activity, can help students capture unique words related to story structure components. As students collect vocabulary, they simultaneously develop and retain a deeper understanding of the story. By exploring vocabulary through the lens of story structure, we empower students to engage more deeply with texts and enrich their vocabularies.
Related Resources at TextProject: Super Synonym Set for Stories
TextProject’s Super Synonym Sets for Stories provide lesson plans for 20 words and the network of synonyms surrounding these words. The 20 lessons that are part of the Super Synonym Sets for Stories deal with words that are central to stories—ways characters communicate, emotions, movement, and traits.