There are seven (7) components that make up novels and short stories. These elements include:

– Setting: The setting of the narrative reveals the place(s) where the events take place. It could be in a purely traditional setting like a village, urban centers, or anywhere that the author feels will captivate the reader’s interest.

– Plot: This element highlights how the events flow into each other either in a chronological or distorted manner depending on the narrator’s state of mind. A suitable storyline allows for enthusiasm in the reader’s mind as he will be eager to know what happens with the characters involved at the end. The plot is either divided into parts or chapters.

– Characterisation: With this component, the author attributes traits to his protagonist, and the other persons identified or revealed in the text. Some characters remain the same from the beginning to the end while others change. These are flat and round characters respectively. Each character incarnates an opinion which the author seeks to explore. Some will be allocated negative attitudes while others positive in order to reveal the realness of the society in the text.

– Themes: They are the main points of interest that the author wants to bring to limelight. Based on the Characters’ actions, the central message is revealed. The development of the main theme gives way for other themes to be exploited. Some examples of themes are love, death, marriage, resilience etc.

– Style/Tone/Diction: This reflects the mood of the author, and it creates his, or her desired atmosphere. This is revealed through his choice of words as he navigates through the different themes which are raised in the text. His mood can be joyful, condescending, paranoiac, gothic etc. Also, literary devices such as metaphor , simile, and personification are tools that the authors make use of in their narrative.

– Point of view: This aspect deals with the voice in which the writer choses to use in pouring out his message. The two main voices are the  First ( I, me, we) and third person point of view whereby the narrator knows everything. The second person ( you) is rarely used.

– Conflict: It deals with the main problem in the narrative.

N.B: if there is no conflict then there will be no plot, or story line