Voices Aloud

What makes a story a story or better yet, what is the important element in a story? Indeed a debate fought by many as to what is truly the importance in a narrative. Then again, it all depends on ones view as to which of the four key elements: Characters, Setting, Plot or Theme, are the most important. For me to understand a story, I need to know first the setting of where things are happening as well as characters.

Whenever my friends go to tell me a story, I first ask where it is happening and when if they can remember and who each of the persons they mention are, so I have some slight background. I don’t necessarily need the theme due to this aspect because I have the ability to sense the theme as well as pick up some key plot traits.

So, my friends first explain where they were at as well as who is involved. This gives me a better understanding of what’s happening and it leads to clues as to the plot and setting, in my preference. Each of us is to our own as to what we think is the most important element contained in the story.

But understanding characters and setting can give away, in some sense, the theme and plot of what is going on as more information about when, where, and who are given in the story.