The document discusses the key elements of a narrative poem, including that narrative poems tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end (i.e. a plot), feature at least one character, are set in a particular place and time (i.e. have a setting), and involve a conflict that the character faces, which can be between people, an internal struggle, or an issue with society. It provides questions to consider for identifying if a poem contains these standard narrative components.

1. Narrative
Poetry

2. Plot
O Narrative poems have a plot
O The simple definition of a plot is a
beginning, a middle, and an end.
O To decide whether or not a poem has a
plot look for: the start of the “story,” the
middle (or the main part) of the “story,”
and some type of ending or conclusion.

3. Characters
O Narrative poems have at least one character.
O To decide if a poem has a character ask
yourself:
O Who is this poem about?
O Can I describe who the poem is about by what
they look like or what they’re name is?
O Remember a character can be a person, an
animal, or an inanimate object as long as they
take on “human” characteristics.

4. Setting
O Narrative poems have setting.
O Setting is where and when the “story” takes
place.
O To decide if a poem has a setting ask yourself
the questions:
O Where is this poem taking place?
O What time period or time of day is this poem
taking place.

5. Conflict
O All narrative poems have a conflict.
O There are three types of conflicts:
O 1. person vs. person
O 2. person vs. self
O 3. person vs. society
O To decide if a poem has a conflict ask
yourself:
O What is this character up against?