Asking students to identify the elements of a story they have read is a great way to connect an abstract concept to a concrete example. Choose a story that is easily understood; in fact, a story that they are familiar with is likely to work best. Ask them to identify the major elements, such as plot, setting, and characters. Once they have successfully identified the features of a story, ask them why each element is important, and how it contributes to the story. A good way to demonstrate the importance of these elements is to change one of them and show students how it affects the story. For instance, ask students to imagine that, instead of attending a ball, Cinderella is attending a paintball tournament. Ask students how this affects their understanding and feelings about the story.
Reinforce each plot element with a class-wide game of telephone. Divide students into groups and make each group responsible for one story element. Allow the group responsible for the setting to begin, and ask them to collaboratively create a setting in which they would like a story to take place. After they've described the setting on paper, they should pass the paper along to the character group. Continue to pass the paper around the room until each group has contributed the story element that they are responsible for; then, read the story aloud to the class.
Students can put their new found knowledge into practice by creating their own story and making sure to incorporate each of the story elements. After they've finished writing their story, give them a sheet of paper divided into boxes, each of which is labeled with one of the story elements. Asking them to write in where these elements appear in their story will force them to analyze the story they have created.
Give each one of the story elements and ask each student to create a story that has every element except the one that he or she was given. Students will find it nearly impossible to create a story without elements such as setting and characters, which will reinforce the important role that each part of a story plays in the overall tale.